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Just as Storm Claudia hit the northern region the prior day, City blew United aside at the Etihad. It was a convincing three goal victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a performance that truly announced their leadership claims as they consolidated their position at the WSL pinnacle.

Consecutive Defeats for United

This result signalled successive Women's Super League setbacks for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, putting them a significant margin off the table toppers with their title hopes in serious doubt.

Manchester United's ability to juggle league and European football with a thin squad has been a frequently analyzed topic since they earned a place in the European competition. Reviewing the fixture list, it always felt like this was the matchday that would fully examine this ability. Sadly for the opposition, they seemed tired all game, the historic win against PSG clearly having taken a toll.

Team Changes

The United manager had sought to make changes with a a few alterations. Ella Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all brought energy, although the exclusion of the in-form Melvine Malard to the bench raised a few eyebrows.

City, in comparison, have no similar fitness concerns. Jeglertz made one change from their most recent win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since recovering from a fitness issue.

Commanding Opening Period

The trouble started to build for Skinner and his squad from the opening minute. This was a demonstration of the power from Manchester City whose potent attack manipulated and tore United open with a superb opening period performance that saw them net a trio in 21 minutes.

This put the hosts completely dominant and had Manchester United struggling. In advance of this match, United had let in just six in this league campaign but they disintegrated in the wake of the hosts' attacking flair.

Early Chances

The warning signs came soon when Miedema used her power to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot past the post. Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, taking advantage of the room left by Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her passes were creating danger and led to an attempt for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had multiple sorties forwards, their straightforward approach giving them choices in the wide areas but they could not test Yamashita. City, in the meantime, dominated possession, teasing their rivals and trying to lure them of their organization.

Triple Strike

They converted their dominance with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the hosts a corner. A delivery to the far post was directed across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was Manchester City's 7th headed goal of the season.

They extended their cushion with an additional two goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was able to drive through the middle from the back, the play opened up for City. The key Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right before delivering a accurate low cross for Bunny Shaw to tap home. Four minutes later, they had a third after a quick shift in possession saw Lauren Hemp afforded the opportunity to fire a effort home from range.

Final Period

The clearest change came from the United manager at the interval as Melvine Malard came on for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the match. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came most likely to score, hitting the woodwork, but the away team were creatively abject and failed to produce a one shot on target.

The home side, on the other hand, could have extended their cushion when a superb Vivianne Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the winning team. Previously unable to overcome any side who finished above them the previous campaign, City's side now have wins against Arsenal and Manchester United to place them in a commanding position after the opening fixtures.