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Just as the recent storm tore through the northwest the previous evening, Manchester City overwhelmed the visitors aside at the Etihad. It was a convincing 3-0 victory for the City coach's side owing to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that clearly signaled their title credentials as they strengthened their position at the WSL pinnacle.

Successive Losses for United

This result signalled successive WSL defeats for Skinner's side for the maiden instance since last May, placing them seven points off the top team with their championship aspirations severely dented.

United’s capability to juggle league and continental football with a small roster has been a hotly discussed subject since they secured entry to the European competition. Considering the schedule, it always felt like this was the week that would truly test this capability. Sadly for the away side, they seemed fatigued all game, the historic win against the French side clearly having had an impact.

Tactical Shifts

Marc Skinner had attempted to freshen things up with a a few alterations. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all provided freshness, although the dropping of the in-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes was questioned.

City, in contrast, have no such workload issues. Jeglertz made one change from the previous win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her first start since returning from a fitness issue.

Overpowering Start

The storm clouds started to accumulate for Skinner and his squad from the first whistle. This was a demonstration of the strength from City whose dynamic attack played with and tore United open with a excellent first half showing that saw them score three goals in 21 minutes.

This placed City firmly in control and saw the visitors all at sea. Before this encounter, the away side had let in just six in this league campaign but they collapsed in the wake of Manchester City's attacking flair.

Early Chances

The warning signs came soon when Miedema used her physicality to push Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything early on, taking advantage of the space left by Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line.

The Red Devils had several forays ahead, their direct style giving them alternatives in the flanks but they could not challenge Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, in the meantime, controlled the ball, teasing their opponents and trying to pull them out of their defensive shape.

Triple Strike

They turned chances into goals with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A ball to the back post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to head in. It was City’s 7th goal from a cross of the campaign.

They added to their advantage with an additional two goals just before the interval. When Rose was allowed to advance through the midfield from the back, the play became spacious for the hosts. The prominent Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right before delivering a pinpoint low cross for Bunny Shaw to force home. Four minutes later, they had a third goal after a quick change in the ball saw Lauren Hemp afforded the opportunity to strike a effort home from range.

Final Period

The most obvious substitution came from the United manager at the interval as Melvine Malard was introduced for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to change the course of the game. Former City player Jess Park came closest, hitting the upright, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and were unable to record a single shot on target.

The hosts, on the other hand, could have added to their lead when a superb Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it was insignificant to the winning team. After failing to beat any opponent who ended above them the previous campaign, the manager's side now have victories against Arsenal and United to position them in a favorable situation after nine games.