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Much like bad weather tore through the northern region the night before, City blew United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a convincing three-nil triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that clearly signaled their championship potential as they strengthened their place at the top of the table.

Consecutive Losses for United

This scoreline represented back-to-back WSL losses for the United manager's side for the initial occasion since last May, putting them seven points off the top team with their title hopes hanging by a thread.

The Red Devils' capability to juggle domestic and European football with a limited squad has been a frequently analyzed topic since they earned a place in the Champions League. Looking at the calendar, it always appeared this was the matchday that would fully examine this capability. Regrettably for the away side, they appeared weary from start to finish, the memorable win against PSG clearly having had an impact.

Tactical Shifts

Marc Skinner had sought to freshen things up with a a few alterations. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all added freshness, although the omission of the in-form Malard to the substitutes was questioned.

City, in contrast, have no such loading worries. Jeglertz made a single alteration from their most recent win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her first start since healing from a physical setback.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to build for the United boss and his team from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the quality from City whose dynamic attack manipulated and dismantled the opposition with a excellent initial 45 minutes performance that saw them put three past the keeper in just over twenty minutes.

This placed City completely dominant and had Manchester United struggling. Before this encounter, United had conceded just a handful in this WSL season but they disintegrated in the presence of the hosts' creative prowess.

Early Chances

The warning signs came quickly when Miedema used her strength to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything in the beginning, taking advantage of the room left by Riviere down United’s wing. Her deliveries were causing problems and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of sorties ahead, their straightforward approach giving them options in the flanks but they could not trouble the City goalkeeper. Manchester City, in the meantime, commanded possession, probing their opponents and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Triple Strike

They turned chances into goals with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A delivery to the back post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's seventh goal from a cross of the season.

They increased their cushion with an additional two goals just before the interval. When Rose was allowed to advance through the midfield from central defence, the pitch widened for the hosts. The prominent Casparij picked the ball up on the right before providing a accurate low cross for Bunny Shaw to force home. Four minutes later, they had a third goal after a quick change in possession saw Hemp allowed the opportunity to drive a attempt home from outside the box.

After the Break

The primary change came from Skinner at the half-time as Melvine Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the contest. Former City player Jess Park came most likely to score, striking the woodwork, but the away team were lacking in ideas and failed to produce a single shot on goal.

The home side, meanwhile, could have added to their cushion when a superb Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it mattered little to the hosts. Previously unable to overcome any opponent who placed above them the previous campaign, Jeglertz’s side now have successes against Arsenal and United to position them in a strong standing after the opening fixtures.