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Just as the recent storm tore through the northern region the prior day, the home side swept the visitors away at the Etihad. It was a convincing three-nil victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that truly announced their leadership claims as they consolidated their standing at the top of the table.

Back-to-Back Defeats for Manchester United

This result marked successive league setbacks for Skinner's side for the initial occasion since last May, putting them seven points off the table toppers with their championship aspirations severely dented.

Manchester United's ability to juggle league and continental football with a limited roster has been a frequently analyzed subject since they earned a place in the Champions League. Looking at the schedule, it always appeared this was the matchday that would truly test this ability. Sadly for the away side, they looked tired throughout, the historic win against the French side clearly having had an impact.

Tactical Shifts

Skinner had sought to make changes with a a few adjustments. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Galton all added energy, although the dropping of the high-performing Malard to the sidelines raised a few eyebrows.

The hosts, in comparison, have no similar loading worries. Andrée Jeglertz made one change from last week’s win over Everton with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since recovering from injury.

Commanding Opening Period

The trouble started to gather for Skinner and his side from the opening minute. This was a show of the strength from City whose energetic forward line controlled and dismantled the opposition with a excellent opening period performance that saw them score three goals in under half an hour.

This placed City completely dominant and had Manchester United struggling. Before this encounter, United had allowed just few in this WSL season but they fell apart in the presence of the hosts' creative prowess.

Early Chances

The warning signs came quickly when Miedema used her power to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot past the post. Hemp was at the heart of everything from the start, exploiting the space left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right flank. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an attempt for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had several forays ahead, their direct style giving them options in the wide areas but they could not trouble Yamashita. City, in the meantime, dominated the ball, teasing their opposition and trying to draw them out of their defensive shape.

Scoring Spree

They made their pressure count with almost thirty minutes played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a corner. A ball to the back post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was City’s seventh goal from a cross of the campaign.

They extended their lead with two more goals just before the interval. When Rose was permitted to maraud through the center from defense, the play became spacious for the hosts. The prominent Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the wing before providing a pinpoint ground pass for Shaw to bundle home. Four minutes later, they had a third goal after a swift turnover in possession saw Lauren Hemp afforded the opportunity to strike a attempt home from range.

Second Half

The most obvious substitution came from the United manager at the half-time as Malard was introduced for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to change the course of the game. Ex- Manchester City player Jess Park came nearest, striking the woodwork, but the visitors were creatively abject and were unable to register a one shot on target.

The home side, on the other hand, could have increased their lead when a delightful Miedema through ball sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the hosts. Having failed to defeat any opponent who placed above them in the prior term, the manager's side now have victories against Arsenal and United to place them in a favorable position after the opening fixtures.