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Much like the recent storm swept through the northwest the previous evening, City overwhelmed United away at the their home ground. It was a emphatic 3-0 win for their manager's side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that truly announced their championship potential as they consolidated their place at the top of the table.

Successive Defeats for United

This outcome marked back-to-back Women's Super League defeats for Skinner's side for the initial occasion since last May, placing them a significant margin off the table toppers with their trophy ambitions hanging by a thread.

United’s capability to manage league and European football with a small team has been a widely debated topic since they qualified for the Champions League. Reviewing the calendar, it always felt like this was the period that would truly test this ability. Regrettably for the opposition, they appeared fatigued all game, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having left its mark.

Team Changes

The United manager had attempted to make changes with a a few adjustments. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all provided vigor, although the omission of the high-performing Malard to the sidelines caused surprise.

Manchester City, in comparison, have no similar fitness worries. Andrée Jeglertz made a single alteration from their most recent win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since returning from injury.

Commanding Opening Period

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

This left the home team completely dominant and had Manchester United disorganized. In advance of this encounter, United had let in just a handful in this WSL season but they fell apart in the presence of City’s attacking flair.

Early Chances

The early indicators came quickly when Miedema used her physicality to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything from the start, using the gap left by Riviere down United’s right side. Her crosses were posing a threat and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had multiple attacks ahead, their long-ball tactic giving them options in the flanks but they could not test the City goalkeeper. Manchester City, on the other hand, commanded possession, probing their rivals and trying to draw them out of their structure.

Goals Galore

They turned chances into goals with almost half an hour played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a corner. A delivery to the far post was directed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was City’s seventh headed goal of the season.

They increased their lead with another pair of goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was able to drive through the midfield from central defence, the pitch became spacious for the hosts. The key Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the wing before sending a pinpoint driven ball for Bunny Shaw to force home. Shortly later, they had a additional score after a rapid turnover in possession saw Lauren Hemp allowed the opportunity to fire a shot home from distance.

After the Break

The primary change came from the United manager at the half-time as Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was futile to alter the outcome of the game. Former City player Jess Park came closest, striking the post, but the visitors were offensively poor and did not manage to register a solitary shot on goal.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have extended their advantage when a superb Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the winning team. Having failed to overcome any team who finished above them last season, Jeglertz’s side now have wins against Arsenal and United to put them in a strong standing after nine matches.