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Similar to the recent storm swept through the north-west the night before, Manchester City swept United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a emphatic three-nil triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that firmly established their leadership claims as they strengthened their standing at the league summit.

Consecutive Setbacks for Manchester United

This scoreline marked consecutive Women's Super League setbacks for Skinner's side for the first time since last May, putting them a significant margin off the top team with their trophy ambitions severely dented.

Manchester United's capacity to balance league and European soccer with a small roster has been a widely debated issue since they earned a place in the European competition. Looking at the calendar, it always seemed this was the period that would truly test this capability. Unfortunately for the away side, they appeared weary throughout, the historic win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having left its mark.

Tactical Shifts

Marc Skinner had sought to make changes with a several changes. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all provided vigor, although the dropping of the on-form Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

The hosts, in contrast, have no similar workload concerns. Jeglertz made one adjustment from the previous win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her first start since healing from a physical setback.

Dominant First Half

The storm clouds started to gather for the United boss and his team from the opening minute. This was a show of the quality from Manchester City whose energetic attack controlled and tore United open with a sublime initial 45 minutes display that saw them score three goals in under half an hour.

This left the home team in a commanding position and had Manchester United struggling. Before this fixture, United had let in just six in this WSL season but they collapsed in the face of the hosts' creative prowess.

Initial Opportunities

The warning signs came quickly when Miedema used her strength to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot off target. Hemp was at the center of everything early on, exploiting the gap left by Riviere down United’s right side. Her passes were posing a threat and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of forays forwards, their direct style giving them options in the wings but they could not test Yamashita. City, meanwhile, dominated possession, teasing their opponents and trying to lure them of their organization.

Goals Galore

They made their pressure count with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a corner. A cross to the back post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's 7th goal from a cross of the season.

They added to their cushion with an additional two goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was allowed to advance through the middle from central defence, the play widened for City. The key Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the right before delivering a accurate ground pass for Shaw to force home. Shortly later, they had a third goal after a rapid shift in the ball saw Hemp given the room to strike a shot home from outside the box.

After the Break

The primary substitution came from Skinner at the half-time as Melvine Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the game. Former City player Park came nearest, rattling the post, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and were unable to record a solitary shot on goal.

The hosts, in contrast, could have extended their lead when a superb Vivianne Miedema pass sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the winning team. Previously unable to beat any side who placed above them the previous campaign, City's side now have successes against the Gunners and United to position them in a favorable situation after nine games.