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Just as the recent storm tore through the north-west the previous evening, Manchester City overwhelmed Manchester United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a convincing three goal win for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that truly announced their title credentials as they strengthened their standing at the top of the table.

Back-to-Back Defeats for Manchester United

This result marked successive WSL setbacks for the United manager's side for the maiden instance since last May, putting them a significant margin off the top team with their trophy ambitions severely dented.

United’s ability to juggle domestic and European soccer with a limited roster has been a widely debated subject since they secured entry to the UCL. Reviewing the calendar, it always felt like this was the period that would fully examine this fortitude. Unfortunately for the visitors, they looked fatigued throughout, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having had an impact.

Lineup Adjustments

Marc Skinner had sought to freshen things up with a several adjustments. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Galton all added freshness, although the exclusion of the on-form Malard to the substitutes raised a few eyebrows.

City, in opposition, have no similar loading issues. The City coach made one change from last week’s win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her first start since recovering from a fitness issue.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to accumulate for Skinner and his squad from the opening minute. This was a demonstration of the strength from City whose potent attack played with and pulled the visitors apart with a superb first half display that saw them net a trio in just over twenty minutes.

This put the hosts in a commanding position and had Manchester United disorganized. Before this encounter, the away side had conceded just six in this WSL season but they fell apart in the face of Manchester City's attacking flair.

Opening Threats

The omens came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot past the post. Hemp was at the heart of everything in the beginning, taking advantage of the room left by Riviere down United’s right side. Her crosses were creating danger and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had multiple attacks forwards, their long-ball tactic giving them alternatives in the wide areas but they could not test Yamashita. City, on the other hand, controlled possession, taunting their opposition and trying to draw them out of their organization.

Triple Strike

They made their pressure count with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A delivery to the far post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's seventh headed goal of the season.

They added to their advantage with two more goals just before the break. When Rose was allowed to maraud through the middle from central defence, the pitch became spacious for City. The prominent Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right before sending a precise driven ball for Shaw to bundle home. Four minutes later, they had a additional score after a rapid change in possession saw Hemp afforded the opportunity to drive a attempt home from outside the box.

Final Period

The most obvious substitution came from the United manager at the break as Melvine Malard was introduced for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to alter the outcome of the contest. Ex- City player Park came closest, striking the post, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and were unable to record a solitary shot on target.

The home side, meanwhile, could have extended their lead when a excellent Miedema pass sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it did not affect the result to the winning team. Previously unable to defeat any opponent who placed above them in the prior term, City's side now have successes against the Gunners and United to place them in a favorable situation after the opening fixtures.