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Much like the recent storm swept through the northern region the night before, City blew Manchester United aside at the their home ground. It was a statement 3-0 win for the City coach's side due to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that clearly signaled their championship potential as they consolidated their position at the WSL pinnacle.

Successive Losses for Manchester United

This result marked consecutive Women's Super League setbacks for Marc Skinner’s side for the maiden instance since last May, putting them seven points off the table toppers with their title hopes in serious doubt.

United’s capability to manage domestic and continental soccer with a small squad has been a frequently analyzed issue since they secured entry to the UCL. Considering the schedule, it always appeared this was the week that would fully examine this fortitude. Sadly for the visitors, they appeared weary all game, the memorable win against the French side clearly having left its mark.

Tactical Shifts

Marc Skinner had sought to freshen things up with a handful of changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all provided freshness, although the exclusion of the on-form Malard to the bench was questioned.

Manchester City, in comparison, have fewer workload issues. The City coach made one adjustment from last week’s win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her initial starting appearance since recovering from a physical setback.

Overpowering Start

The trouble started to gather for Skinner and his team from the opening minute. This was a demonstration of the power from City whose potent offense controlled and tore United open with a superb first half display that saw them score three goals in 21 minutes.

This left the home team completely dominant and left United all at sea. Prior to this fixture, the away side had allowed just six in this domestic competition but they collapsed in the face of Manchester City's creative prowess.

Early Chances

The warning signs came quickly when Miedema used her power to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, exploiting the space left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right side. Her deliveries were causing problems and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had several attacks forwards, their long-ball tactic giving them alternatives in the wings but they could not trouble the City goalkeeper. City, meanwhile, dominated possession, probing their rivals and trying to lure them of their organization.

Goals Galore

They made their pressure count with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the home team a corner. A ball to the back post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's seventh header of the term.

They increased their advantage with another pair of goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was able to maraud through the middle from the back, the pitch became spacious for the hosts. The prominent Casparij collected the pass on the wing before providing a precise driven ball for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. Four minutes later, they had a third after a quick change in possession saw Lauren Hemp afforded the room to drive a shot home from range.

After the Break

The primary adjustment came from Skinner at the break as Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to change the course of the match. Ex- Manchester City player Park came most likely to score, hitting the upright, but the away team were offensively poor and did not manage to produce a single shot on goal.

The home side, on the other hand, could have increased their lead when a superb Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it mattered little to the hosts. Previously unable to beat any opponent who ended above them in the prior term, Jeglertz’s side now have wins against the Gunners and United to position them in a strong standing after the opening fixtures.