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Similar to the recent storm swept through the north-west the previous evening, the home side overwhelmed Manchester United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement three-nil victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that firmly established their leadership claims as they consolidated their place at the top of the table.

Back-to-Back Defeats for United

This outcome represented consecutive Women's Super League setbacks for Skinner's side for the first time since last May, placing them a sizable gap off the league leaders with their title hopes in serious doubt.

United’s ability to balance league and continental football with a small squad has been a widely debated subject since they earned a place in the Champions League. Considering the fixture list, it always seemed this was the week that would truly test this ability. Unfortunately for the opposition, they seemed fatigued all game, the historic win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having left its mark.

Team Changes

Marc Skinner had attempted to rotate the squad with a handful of adjustments. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all provided vigor, although the exclusion of the high-performing Malard to the bench raised a few eyebrows.

The hosts, in comparison, have no such fitness issues. The City coach made one adjustment from the previous win over the Toffees with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since returning from a physical setback.

Commanding Opening Period

The pressure started to build for the United boss and his team from the kickoff. This was a show of the quality from Manchester City whose energetic attack manipulated and tore United open with a excellent initial 45 minutes display that saw them put three past the keeper in 21 minutes.

This left the home team in a commanding position and saw the visitors all at sea. Prior to this match, the away side had allowed just few in this WSL season but they disintegrated in the face of Manchester City's offensive ingenuity.

Early Chances

The early indicators came soon when Miedema used her physicality to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything in the beginning, using the space left by Riviere down United’s wing. Her deliveries were posing a threat and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had several sorties forward, their direct style giving them choices in the wide areas but they could not trouble Ayaka Yamashita. City, in the meantime, dominated possession, teasing their opposition and trying to draw them out of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They turned chances into goals with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A delivery to the far post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was City’s 7th goal from a cross of the term.

They extended their lead with another pair of goals just before the half-time. When Jade Rose was able to maraud through the midfield from the back, the play widened for the hosts. The prominent Casparij received possession on the wing before sending a precise ground pass for Shaw to tap home. A short time later, they had a additional score after a quick change in the ball saw Hemp afforded the opportunity to strike a attempt home from distance.

Final Period

The most obvious adjustment came from Skinner at the half-time as Melvine Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to shift the momentum of the game. Ex- Manchester City player Park came nearest, hitting the post, but the away team were lacking in ideas and did not manage to register a single shot on goal.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have extended their advantage when a superb Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it mattered little to the hosts. After failing to beat any side who ended above them the previous campaign, the manager's side now have successes against Arsenal and Manchester United to place them in a strong standing after the opening fixtures.