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Just as the recent storm swept through the northern region the previous evening, Manchester City swept the visitors away at the Etihad. It was a statement 3-0 triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that truly announced their championship potential as they strengthened their standing at the top of the table.

Successive Losses for Manchester United

This scoreline marked consecutive Women's Super League setbacks for Skinner's side for the maiden instance since last May, putting them seven points off the league leaders with their trophy ambitions severely dented.

The Red Devils' capability to balance league and continental football with a limited team has been a hotly discussed issue since they qualified for the Champions League. Reviewing the calendar, it always felt like this was the period that would fully examine this fortitude. Unfortunately for the opposition, they looked tired from start to finish, the historic win against PSG clearly having had an impact.

Team Changes

Marc Skinner had tried to rotate the squad with a several adjustments. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all brought vigor, although the exclusion of the in-form Malard to the bench was questioned.

The hosts, in comparison, have no similar fitness issues. Jeglertz made a single alteration from last week’s win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since recovering from a physical setback.

Dominant First Half

The pressure started to accumulate for Skinner and his side from the opening minute. This was a exhibition of the power from Manchester City whose potent attack played with and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime first half performance that saw them net a trio in just over twenty minutes.

This placed City completely dominant and left United disorganized. Before this fixture, United had allowed just few in this WSL season but they fell apart in the presence of Manchester City's attacking flair.

Opening Threats

The early indicators came quickly when Miedema used her strength to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot wide. Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, exploiting the room left by Riviere down the visitors' right side. Her passes were causing problems and led to an attempt for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line.

The Red Devils had multiple sorties forwards, their direct style giving them alternatives in the wings but they could not test Yamashita. Manchester City, meanwhile, dominated the ball, probing their opposition and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They made their pressure count with almost thirty minutes played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a corner. A ball to the back post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's 7th headed goal of the season.

They increased their cushion with an additional two goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was able to advance through the middle from the back, the pitch opened up for City. The prominent Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right before sending a pinpoint low cross for Shaw to tap home. Shortly later, they had a additional score after a rapid turnover in the ball saw Hemp afforded the space to strike a attempt home from range.

Final Period

The primary adjustment came from the United manager at the half-time as Malard came on for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to alter the outcome of the game. Ex- Manchester City player Park came most likely to score, hitting the post, but the away team were offensively poor and were unable to record a single shot on target.

The home side, in contrast, could have extended their lead when a superb Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it did not affect the result to the hosts. Previously unable to overcome any opponent who placed above them the previous campaign, City's side now have successes against the Gunners and United to position them in a strong situation after nine games.