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Much like the recent storm tore through the northern region the prior day, Manchester City swept United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a convincing 3-0 win for the City coach's side due to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a performance that clearly signaled their championship potential as they consolidated their place at the top of the table.

Successive Setbacks for United

This scoreline signalled consecutive Women's Super League setbacks for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, leaving them seven points off the top team with their trophy ambitions hanging by a thread.

United’s ability to balance league and European football with a thin roster has been a hotly discussed subject since they secured entry to the Champions League. Reviewing the fixture list, it always seemed this was the matchday that would truly test this fortitude. Sadly for the visitors, they seemed tired all game, the memorable win against the French side clearly having left its mark.

Team Changes

Marc Skinner had attempted to freshen things up with a a few changes. Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all added freshness, although the exclusion of the on-form Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

Manchester City, in comparison, have no similar loading issues. Jeglertz made one change from their most recent win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her first start since recovering from injury.

Overpowering Start

The storm clouds started to gather for Skinner and his side from the opening minute. This was a demonstration of the power from City whose potent attack manipulated and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime opening period display that saw them put three past the keeper in just over twenty minutes.

This put the hosts in a commanding position and saw the visitors disorganized. Prior to this fixture, United had allowed just a handful in this WSL season but they disintegrated in the face of Manchester City's creative prowess.

Initial Opportunities

The early indicators came early when Miedema used her strength to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Hemp was at the heart of everything from the start, taking advantage of the space left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her crosses were creating danger and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had multiple forays forwards, their direct style giving them alternatives in the wings but they could not challenge Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, in the meantime, dominated possession, teasing their rivals and trying to draw them out of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They turned chances into goals with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the hosts a corner. A delivery to the far post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was City’s seventh header of the campaign.

They increased their lead with an additional two goals just before the break. When Rose was able to maraud through the center from the back, the pitch became spacious for City. The key Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right before providing a precise low cross for Bunny Shaw to tap home. Four minutes later, they had a third after a quick change in possession saw Lauren Hemp afforded the space to strike a shot home from outside the box.

Final Period

The clearest substitution came from Skinner at the break as Melvine Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was futile to change the course of the game. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came nearest, rattling the post, but the visitors were creatively abject and did not manage to record a one shot on target.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have added to their lead when a excellent Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it was insignificant to the winning team. Having failed to beat any team who placed above them last season, City's side now have successes against Arsenal and Manchester United to place them in a strong position after nine games.