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Similar to the recent storm swept through the northern region the night before, Manchester City swept the visitors aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a emphatic three goal win for the City coach's side due to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that truly announced their championship potential as they strengthened their standing at the WSL pinnacle.

Successive Losses for United

This result represented consecutive WSL defeats for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, leaving them seven points off the league leaders with their trophy ambitions severely dented.

United’s capability to manage domestic and European football with a limited roster has been a widely debated topic since they secured entry to the European competition. Considering the schedule, it always felt like this was the week that would truly test this fortitude. Sadly for the visitors, they appeared tired throughout, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having had an impact.

Team Changes

Skinner had attempted to freshen things up with a several adjustments. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all brought freshness, although the omission of the high-performing Malard to the bench raised a few eyebrows.

The hosts, in contrast, have fewer workload concerns. The City coach made one adjustment from their most recent win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her initial starting appearance since returning from injury.

Dominant First Half

The trouble started to gather for the United boss and his side from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the quality from City whose potent forward line played with and dismantled the opposition with a sublime initial 45 minutes showing that saw them score three goals in under half an hour.

This put the hosts firmly in control and had Manchester United all at sea. Prior to this encounter, United had conceded just six in this domestic competition but they fell apart in the presence of City’s attacking flair.

Initial Opportunities

The omens came early when Miedema used her physicality to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot wide. Hemp was at the center of everything in the beginning, exploiting the gap left by Jayde Riviere down United’s wing. Her passes were causing problems and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had a number of sorties forwards, their direct style giving them alternatives in the wings but they could not test Yamashita. City, meanwhile, controlled the ball, probing their opponents and trying to draw them out of their organization.

Goals Galore

They turned chances into goals with almost the first period played when Fujino won the home team a corner. A ball to the back post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was City’s 7th headed goal of the season.

They added to their lead with another pair of goals just before the half-time. When Jade Rose was able to drive through the middle from central defence, the field opened up for the hosts. The influential Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the wing before providing a precise driven ball for Bunny Shaw to tap home. A short time later, they had a additional score after a quick shift in the ball saw Lauren Hemp allowed the room to strike a attempt home from distance.

Final Period

The clearest adjustment came from Skinner at the half-time as Melvine Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the game. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came nearest, hitting the woodwork, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and were unable to produce a solitary shot on goal.

The home side, on the other hand, could have increased their cushion when a delightful Vivianne Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it did not affect the result to the hosts. After failing to overcome any opponent who ended above them the previous campaign, Jeglertz’s side now have successes against Arsenal and United to place them in a strong standing after nine matches.