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Similar to the recent storm hit the north-west the prior day, Manchester City swept the visitors aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement three-nil triumph for their manager's side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a performance that truly announced their leadership claims as they strengthened their place at the league summit.

Successive Setbacks for Manchester United

This outcome marked back-to-back WSL setbacks for Skinner's side for the maiden instance since last May, placing them seven points off the table toppers with their championship aspirations hanging by a thread.

Manchester United's capability to juggle league and European soccer with a limited team has been a hotly discussed subject since they qualified for the European competition. Considering the fixture list, it always felt like this was the period that would truly test this fortitude. Regrettably for the away side, they seemed tired all game, the historic win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having had an impact.

Tactical Shifts

Skinner had attempted to make changes with a several adjustments. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Galton all brought vigor, although the dropping of the in-form Melvine Malard to the sidelines caused surprise.

City, in comparison, have no similar workload issues. Jeglertz made one change from their most recent win over Everton with Hemp making her first start since returning from a physical setback.

Dominant First Half

The trouble started to accumulate for Skinner and his team from the opening minute. This was a demonstration of the strength from Manchester City whose dynamic attack played with and tore United open with a sublime opening period display that saw them net a trio in just over twenty minutes.

This left the home team firmly in control and had Manchester United struggling. Before this encounter, the away side had allowed just six in this WSL season but they disintegrated in the face of Manchester City's attacking flair.

Initial Opportunities

The early indicators came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot past the post. Hemp was at the core of everything early on, using the space left by Jayde Riviere down United’s wing. Her crosses were posing a threat and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Sandberg kicked off the line.

The Red Devils had several sorties forwards, their straightforward approach giving them alternatives in the flanks but they could not trouble Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, meanwhile, dominated the ball, probing their rivals and trying to draw them out of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They made their pressure count with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A ball to the far post was headed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was City’s 7th goal from a cross of the term.

They increased their advantage with another pair of goals just before the break. When Rose was permitted to maraud through the center from central defence, the pitch widened for the hosts. The key Kerstin Casparij received possession on the wing before sending a accurate driven ball for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. Shortly later, they had a third after a quick turnover in the ball saw Hemp allowed the opportunity to fire a attempt home from range.

After the Break

The primary adjustment came from Skinner at the break as Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to change the course of the game. Former City player Park came nearest, rattling the woodwork, but the away team were lacking in ideas and were unable to record a solitary shot on target.

The hosts, in contrast, could have extended their lead when a delightful Vivianne Miedema through ball sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the winning team. Having failed to overcome any opponent who finished above them last season, City's side now have wins against Arsenal and Manchester United to put them in a strong situation after the opening fixtures.