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Much like the recent storm tore through the northwest the prior day, the home side swept United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement 3-0 triumph for the City coach's side due to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that firmly established their title credentials as they reinforced their place at the top of the table.

Consecutive Setbacks for Manchester United

This result signalled back-to-back Women's Super League setbacks for Marc Skinner’s side for the initial occasion since last May, leaving them seven points off the table toppers with their trophy ambitions in serious doubt.

The Red Devils' ability to juggle domestic and continental football with a small roster has been a hotly discussed subject since they secured entry to the European competition. Reviewing the fixture list, it always felt like this was the period that would seriously challenge this ability. Sadly for the visitors, they appeared fatigued throughout, the landmark win against the French side clearly having had an impact.

Lineup Adjustments

Marc Skinner had tried to make changes with a a few alterations. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all brought freshness, although the exclusion of the on-form Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

Manchester City, in opposition, have no similar workload concerns. Jeglertz made a single alteration from their most recent win over Everton with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since healing from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The trouble started to accumulate for the United boss and his side from the opening minute. This was a show of the strength from City whose energetic offense manipulated and dismantled the opposition with a sublime opening period display that saw them put three past the keeper in just over twenty minutes.

This placed City in a commanding position and saw the visitors all at sea. Before this encounter, the away side had allowed just few in this WSL season but they collapsed in the presence of the hosts' attacking flair.

Initial Opportunities

The early indicators came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot off target. Hemp was at the center of everything in the beginning, taking advantage of the room left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' right side. Her crosses were posing a threat and led to an attempt for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had a number of sorties forwards, their direct style giving them options in the wide areas but they could not trouble Yamashita. City, in the meantime, controlled the ball, teasing their opposition and trying to lure them of their structure.

Scoring Spree

They made their pressure count with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A ball to the back post was headed across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was City’s seventh headed goal of the term.

They increased their lead with an additional two goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was able to maraud through the center from defense, the play opened up for City. The prominent Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right side before delivering a precise ground pass for Bunny Shaw to tap home. Shortly later, they had a third after a rapid shift in possession saw Lauren Hemp allowed the room to drive a shot home from distance.

After the Break

The most obvious change came from Skinner at the break as Melvine Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was too late to shift the momentum of the game. Former City player Park came most likely to score, hitting the post, but the away team were creatively abject and did not manage to register a solitary shot on goal.

The home side, in contrast, could have added to their cushion when a superb Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the winning team. Having failed to beat any side who placed above them last season, the manager's side now have victories against the Gunners and Manchester United to place them in a strong situation after nine matches.