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Just as Storm Claudia swept through the northwest the night before, City blew Manchester United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a convincing 3-0 win for their manager's side thanks to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that clearly signaled their title credentials as they reinforced their standing at the WSL pinnacle.

Consecutive Losses for Manchester United

This result signalled successive league setbacks for Skinner's side for the maiden instance since last May, putting them a significant margin off the league leaders with their title hopes in serious doubt.

Manchester United's ability to manage league and continental football with a thin squad has been a widely debated topic since they secured entry to the Champions League. Reviewing the schedule, it always felt like this was the week that would seriously challenge this ability. Unfortunately for the visitors, they looked fatigued all game, the landmark win against the French side clearly having had an impact.

Tactical Shifts

Marc Skinner had attempted to make changes with a a few changes. Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all brought vigor, although the dropping of the high-performing Malard to the substitutes raised a few eyebrows.

The hosts, in opposition, have fewer loading concerns. The City coach made a single alteration from last week’s win over Everton with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since returning from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The pressure started to build for the United boss and his team from the first whistle. This was a demonstration of the power from Manchester City whose potent attack controlled and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime first half display that saw them score three goals in just over twenty minutes.

This put the hosts completely dominant and saw the visitors struggling. In advance of this encounter, the away side had allowed just six in this domestic competition but they disintegrated in the wake of City’s creative prowess.

Initial Opportunities

The warning signs came quickly when Miedema used her physicality to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, exploiting the space left by Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of sorties forward, their direct style giving them choices in the wide areas but they could not trouble the City goalkeeper. Manchester City, on the other hand, controlled the ball, probing their opponents and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They made their pressure count with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A ball to the back post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was City’s 7th headed goal of the season.

They increased their lead with two more goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was able to advance through the midfield from the back, the pitch opened up for the hosts. The influential Casparij received possession on the right before delivering a pinpoint ground pass for Shaw to tap home. Shortly later, they had a third goal after a swift turnover in possession saw Lauren Hemp given the opportunity to drive a shot home from range.

Second Half

The primary change came from Skinner at the half-time as Malard came on for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to shift the momentum of the match. Ex- Manchester City player Jess Park came closest, striking the woodwork, but the away team were creatively abject and failed to produce a solitary shot on goal.

The hosts, on the other hand, could have extended their lead when a delightful Vivianne Miedema through ball sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it mattered little to the winning team. Previously unable to overcome any side who placed above them the previous campaign, Jeglertz’s side now have victories against Arsenal and Manchester United to put them in a commanding standing after the opening fixtures.