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Much like bad weather swept through the northwest the previous evening, City swept the visitors aside at the Etihad. It was a emphatic three goal victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side owing to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that truly announced their title credentials as they strengthened their standing at the top of the table.

Successive Losses for Manchester United

This result marked successive league losses for Marc Skinner’s side for the initial occasion since last May, putting them seven points off the top team with their trophy ambitions in serious doubt.

The Red Devils' capability to balance domestic and European soccer with a small squad has been a frequently analyzed subject since they secured entry to the Champions League. Considering the calendar, it always appeared this was the week that would truly test this capability. Unfortunately for the away side, they seemed weary from start to finish, the memorable win against the French side clearly having left its mark.

Tactical Shifts

Marc Skinner had tried to freshen things up with a a few adjustments. Ella Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all provided freshness, although the dropping of the on-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes raised a few eyebrows.

Manchester City, in opposition, have no such fitness issues. Jeglertz made one adjustment from last week’s win over the Toffees with Hemp making her return to the lineup since healing from injury.

Dominant First Half

The storm clouds started to gather for Skinner and his side from the first whistle. This was a show of the strength from City whose potent attack played with and dismantled the opposition with a sublime opening period showing that saw them put three past the keeper in 21 minutes.

This placed City firmly in control and left United all at sea. Prior to this encounter, United had conceded just a handful in this WSL season but they disintegrated in the wake of Manchester City's offensive ingenuity.

Opening Threats

The omens came quickly when Miedema used her power to push Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything in the beginning, exploiting the room left by Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her deliveries were posing a threat and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of attacks forwards, their long-ball tactic giving them choices in the wings but they could not test the City goalkeeper. Manchester City, on the other hand, controlled possession, probing their rivals and trying to pull them out of their organization.

Triple Strike

They made their pressure count with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the home team a corner. A ball to the back post was directed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to score. It was City’s 7th headed goal of the term.

They added to their advantage with an additional two goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was allowed to maraud through the middle from central defence, the field widened for the hosts. The key Casparij picked the ball up on the right side before providing a pinpoint ground pass for Bunny Shaw to force home. Four minutes later, they had a third goal after a rapid change in the ball saw Hemp allowed the space to strike a effort home from outside the box.

After the Break

The clearest change came from the United manager at the break as Malard was introduced for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to shift the momentum of the game. Former City player Park came closest, hitting the upright, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and were unable to produce a one shot on goal.

The home side, in contrast, could have increased their advantage when a excellent Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the hosts. Having failed to overcome any team who finished above them in the prior term, the manager's side now have successes against Arsenal and United to put them in a strong position after nine matches.