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Just as the recent storm hit the north-west the previous evening, City overwhelmed Manchester United away at the their home ground. It was a emphatic 3-0 triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that firmly established their leadership claims as they reinforced their standing at the WSL pinnacle.

Successive Defeats for Manchester United

This result marked consecutive WSL setbacks for Skinner's side for the first time since last May, putting them a significant margin off the league leaders with their championship aspirations hanging by a thread.

United’s capability to juggle domestic and European soccer with a limited team has been a widely debated issue since they secured entry to the Champions League. Looking at the fixture list, it always felt like this was the week that would fully examine this ability. Unfortunately for the visitors, they looked tired all game, the landmark win against PSG clearly having taken a toll.

Tactical Shifts

The United manager had sought to freshen things up with a a few alterations. Ella Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all added freshness, although the exclusion of the on-form Malard to the sidelines was questioned.

Manchester City, in contrast, have fewer loading concerns. The City coach made one change from their most recent win over the Toffees with Hemp making her return to the lineup since healing from a physical setback.

Overpowering Start

The storm clouds started to build for the United boss and his squad from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the power from Manchester City whose potent attack controlled and tore United open with a superb opening period display that saw them put three past the keeper in just over twenty minutes.

This left the home team firmly in control and left United struggling. Before this match, the away side had let in just a handful in this WSL season but they disintegrated in the presence of City’s attacking flair.

Initial Opportunities

The early indicators came quickly when Miedema used her strength to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, using the space left by Riviere down United’s right side. Her deliveries were creating danger and led to an opportunity for Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had a number of attacks ahead, their direct style giving them choices in the wide areas but they could not trouble Yamashita. City, meanwhile, dominated possession, teasing their rivals and trying to draw them out of their organization.

Scoring Spree

They converted their dominance with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the home team a corner. A cross to the far post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was Manchester City's 7th header of the campaign.

They increased their advantage with an additional two goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was able to drive through the center from central defence, the field became spacious for the hosts. The prominent Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the right side before providing a accurate driven ball for Shaw to tap home. Shortly later, they had a third goal after a swift change in possession saw Hemp given the room to drive a effort home from distance.

After the Break

The clearest substitution came from Skinner at the break as Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was ineffective to change the course of the contest. Former Manchester City player Park came most likely to score, striking the post, but the away team were creatively abject and did not manage to produce a one shot on goal.

The home side, on the other hand, could have added to their cushion when a delightful Miedema pass sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the hosts. Having failed to beat any side who placed above them the previous campaign, the manager's side now have wins against the Gunners and Manchester United to place them in a favorable position after the opening fixtures.