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Similar to the recent storm hit the north-west the night before, City overwhelmed United aside at the Etihad. It was a statement three goal victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that firmly established their championship potential as they consolidated their place at the top of the table.

Consecutive Setbacks for United

This scoreline signalled successive WSL losses for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, leaving them a sizable gap off the top team with their championship aspirations severely dented.

United’s capacity to juggle league and European soccer with a small team has been a widely debated topic since they qualified for the Champions League. Reviewing the fixture list, it always seemed this was the matchday that would truly test this ability. Unfortunately for the away side, they appeared weary all game, the historic win against PSG clearly having had an impact.

Team Changes

Skinner had sought to rotate the squad with a handful of adjustments. Ella Toone, Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all brought energy, although the dropping of the high-performing Malard to the substitutes raised a few eyebrows.

The hosts, in comparison, have fewer fitness worries. Jeglertz made a single alteration from last week’s win over Everton with Hemp making her return to the lineup since recovering from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The trouble started to accumulate for Skinner and his side from the first whistle. This was a show of the power from City whose potent forward line played with and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime first half showing that saw them net a trio in 21 minutes.

This left the home team completely dominant and had Manchester United struggling. Before this encounter, the away side had conceded just six in this domestic competition but they disintegrated in the face of City’s creative prowess.

Initial Opportunities

The omens came early when Vivianne Miedema used her power to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything in the beginning, using the space left by Riviere down United’s right side. Her deliveries were creating danger and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had several sorties forwards, their direct style giving them alternatives in the wings but they could not challenge Yamashita. Manchester City, in the meantime, dominated possession, taunting their opposition and trying to lure them of their organization.

Scoring Spree

They converted their dominance with almost thirty minutes played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A ball to the far post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was City’s 7th goal from a cross of the season.

They extended their cushion with an additional two goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was able to advance through the center from central defence, the field opened up for City. The prominent Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right side before providing a pinpoint low cross for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. Four minutes later, they had a additional score after a swift turnover in possession saw Lauren Hemp afforded the opportunity to drive a shot home from range.

After the Break

The primary adjustment came from the United manager at the break as Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the contest. Former Manchester City player Park came nearest, hitting the upright, but the away team were creatively abject and did not manage to produce a single shot on goal.

The home side, on the other hand, could have added to their advantage when a delightful Vivianne Miedema pass sent Bunny 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, City's side now have successes against the Gunners and Manchester United to put them in a strong position after nine games.