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Just as the recent storm swept through the northern region the prior day, City blew the visitors away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement three goal victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that firmly established their championship potential as they consolidated their position at the WSL pinnacle.

Successive Setbacks for United

This scoreline signalled back-to-back Women's Super League losses for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, putting them seven points off the top team with their championship aspirations in serious doubt.

The Red Devils' ability to juggle domestic and European soccer with a thin roster has been a frequently analyzed subject since they qualified for the Champions League. Looking at the calendar, it always appeared this was the week that would fully examine this fortitude. Sadly for the away side, they appeared weary all game, the historic win against PSG clearly having taken a toll.

Tactical Shifts

Marc Skinner had sought to make changes with a a few changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all added vigor, although the exclusion of the on-form Melvine Malard to the sidelines was questioned.

City, in contrast, have no similar fitness issues. Jeglertz made one change from last week’s win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her initial starting appearance since recovering from a fitness issue.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to build for Skinner and his side from the opening minute. This was a demonstration of the strength from Manchester City whose potent offense controlled and dismantled the opposition with a excellent first half display that saw them score three goals in just over twenty minutes.

This placed City completely dominant and had Manchester United disorganized. Before this encounter, the away side had conceded just a handful in this league campaign but they fell apart in the wake of the hosts' attacking flair.

Early Chances

The warning signs came quickly when Miedema used her strength to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything in the beginning, taking advantage of the gap left by Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her passes were causing problems and led to an opportunity for Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had a number of sorties forward, their straightforward approach giving them options in the flanks but they could not challenge Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, in the meantime, controlled the ball, probing their opponents and trying to draw them out of their structure.

Triple Strike

They turned chances into goals with almost the first period played when Fujino won the home team a corner. A delivery to the far post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was City’s 7th goal from a cross of the season.

They increased their advantage with an additional two goals just before the break. When Rose was allowed to maraud through the center from the back, the play widened for City. The influential Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right side before providing a pinpoint ground pass for Bunny Shaw to force home. Four minutes later, they had a third after a rapid change in the ball saw Hemp given the space to strike a shot home from distance.

After the Break

The clearest substitution came from Skinner at the half-time as Melvine Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was ineffective to alter the outcome of the match. Ex- City player Park came most likely to score, rattling the woodwork, but the visitors were creatively abject and were unable to register a single shot on target.

The home side, on the other hand, could have increased their advantage when a delightful Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it was insignificant to the hosts. Having failed to beat any team who ended above them last season, City's side now have victories against the Gunners and United to position them in a favorable situation after nine matches.