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Similar to bad weather hit the northwest the previous evening, City overwhelmed United away at the Etihad. It was a convincing three goal victory for their manager's side owing to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that truly announced their championship potential as they reinforced their position at the top of the table.

Successive Defeats for United

This result signalled consecutive WSL losses for Marc Skinner’s side for the first time since last May, placing them a sizable gap off the table toppers with their championship aspirations in serious doubt.

United’s capacity to balance domestic and European soccer with a thin team has been a frequently analyzed topic since they secured entry to the UCL. Looking at the schedule, it always seemed this was the period that would seriously challenge this fortitude. Unfortunately for the away side, they looked tired throughout, the memorable win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having had an impact.

Lineup Adjustments

Skinner had tried to make changes with a a few changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all provided energy, although the dropping of the high-performing Malard to the sidelines caused surprise.

The hosts, in comparison, have no similar workload concerns. Andrée Jeglertz made a single alteration from the previous win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her first start since returning from a physical setback.

Commanding Opening Period

The storm clouds started to gather for Skinner and his team from the opening minute. This was a demonstration of the strength from Manchester City whose dynamic attack played with and pulled the visitors apart with a superb opening period showing that saw them put three past the keeper in just over twenty minutes.

This left the home team in a commanding position and saw the visitors disorganized. Before this fixture, United had conceded just few in this league campaign but they collapsed in the wake of City’s attacking flair.

Early Chances

The omens came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot past the post. Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, taking advantage of the gap left by Riviere down United’s wing. Her deliveries were causing problems and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of sorties ahead, their long-ball tactic giving them alternatives in the wide areas but they could not trouble Yamashita. Manchester City, in the meantime, dominated the ball, teasing their opposition and trying to lure them of their structure.

Goals Galore

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

They added to their advantage with an additional two goals just before the interval. When Rose was permitted to advance through the midfield from central defence, the pitch became spacious for the hosts. The influential Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the wing before sending a pinpoint low cross for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. Four minutes later, they had a third after a swift shift in the ball saw Hemp afforded the room to drive a shot home from distance.

Second Half

The primary change came from the United manager at the half-time as Melvine Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was futile to change the course of the match. Former City player Park came nearest, rattling the post, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and were unable to record a one shot on goal.

The hosts, in contrast, could have added to their lead when a excellent Miedema pass sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it was insignificant to the hosts. Having failed to beat any opponent who ended above them last season, the manager's side now have wins against the Gunners and Manchester United to place them in a commanding standing after the opening fixtures.