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Much like the recent storm tore through the north-west the prior day, the home side swept Manchester United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement three goal triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that firmly established their title credentials as they reinforced their standing at the top of the table.

Successive Losses for United

This result represented back-to-back Women's Super League losses for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, leaving them seven points off the top team with their title hopes hanging by a thread.

The Red Devils' capacity to juggle league and continental soccer with a limited roster has been a hotly discussed issue since they qualified for the UCL. Considering the schedule, it always seemed this was the week that would truly test this ability. Regrettably for the visitors, they looked fatigued throughout, the historic win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having left its mark.

Tactical Shifts

Marc Skinner had tried to freshen things up with a several alterations. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Galton all added energy, although the exclusion of the on-form Malard to the substitutes was questioned.

The hosts, in opposition, have no similar workload worries. Andrée Jeglertz made one change from the previous win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her first start since recovering from a fitness issue.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to gather for Skinner and his team from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the strength from City whose dynamic attack manipulated and pulled the visitors apart with a excellent first half showing that saw them put three past the keeper in under half an hour.

This left the home team completely dominant and had Manchester United disorganized. Before this match, United had allowed just few in this league campaign but they collapsed in the wake of City’s attacking flair.

Initial Opportunities

The early indicators came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her power to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything from the start, taking advantage of the gap left by Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had multiple sorties forwards, their direct style giving them choices in the wide areas but they could not test Yamashita. Manchester City, meanwhile, controlled possession, probing their rivals and trying to pull them out of their structure.

Triple Strike

They made their pressure count with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the hosts a corner. A cross to the back post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to score. It was City’s seventh goal from a cross of the term.

They increased their advantage with an additional two goals just before the break. When Rose was permitted to maraud through the midfield from the back, the field became spacious for the hosts. The prominent Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right before delivering a precise ground pass for Shaw to force home. Four minutes later, they had a third goal after a swift change in possession saw Hemp allowed the room to fire a shot home from distance.

After the Break

The clearest change came from the United manager at the half-time as Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was ineffective to change the course of the match. Ex- Manchester City player Park came nearest, striking the woodwork, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and failed to record a one shot on target.

The home side, on the other hand, could have increased their advantage when a delightful Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it did not affect the result to the hosts. Previously unable to beat any team who finished above them the previous campaign, the manager's side now have successes against Arsenal and Manchester United to place them in a favorable situation after the opening fixtures.