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Much like the recent storm tore through the north-west the previous evening, Manchester City blew United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a convincing three-nil win for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that truly announced their title credentials as they consolidated their standing at the top of the table.

Successive Losses for United

This result represented consecutive league setbacks for Marc Skinner’s side for the maiden instance since last May, leaving them a significant margin off the league leaders with their championship aspirations in serious doubt.

The Red Devils' ability to juggle domestic and continental soccer with a thin team has been a frequently analyzed issue since they qualified for the European competition. Looking at the schedule, it always felt like this was the week that would fully examine this capability. Unfortunately for the opposition, they appeared fatigued throughout, the historic win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having taken a toll.

Lineup Adjustments

Marc Skinner had tried to freshen things up with a a few changes. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all brought freshness, although the dropping of the in-form Melvine Malard to the bench was questioned.

The hosts, in opposition, have fewer workload worries. The City coach made one adjustment from last week’s win over the Toffees with Hemp making her first start since recovering from a physical setback.

Overpowering Start

The storm clouds started to build for the United boss and his side from the opening minute. This was a exhibition of the quality from Manchester City whose energetic attack played with and dismantled the opposition with a superb initial 45 minutes showing that saw them net a trio in 21 minutes.

This placed City firmly in control and had Manchester United disorganized. Prior to this match, the away side had conceded just a handful in this WSL season but they collapsed in the wake of Manchester City's creative prowess.

Initial Opportunities

The omens came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, using the room left by Riviere down United’s right side. Her crosses were creating danger and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had several forays ahead, their long-ball tactic giving them choices in the wide areas but they could not trouble Ayaka Yamashita. City, in the meantime, commanded possession, probing their opponents and trying to pull them out of their organization.

Triple Strike

They made their pressure count with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A cross to the back post was directed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to head in. It was Manchester City's 7th goal from a cross of the season.

They increased their cushion with another pair of goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was allowed to maraud through the middle from the back, the pitch opened up for City. The prominent Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right before providing a accurate ground pass for Bunny Shaw to force home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a rapid change in possession saw Lauren Hemp afforded the space to strike a shot home from distance.

Final Period

The primary adjustment came from Skinner at the break as Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was ineffective to shift the momentum of the game. Ex- City player Jess Park came closest, rattling the woodwork, but the away team were lacking in ideas and were unable to register a one shot on target.

The home side, meanwhile, could have increased their lead when a excellent Vivianne Miedema through ball sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the hosts. Previously unable to defeat any side who ended above them in the prior term, City's side now have wins against Arsenal and Manchester United to put them in a favorable situation after the opening fixtures.