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Similar to Storm Claudia hit the northern region the night before, City swept Manchester United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement three goal triumph for the City coach's side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that clearly signaled their championship potential as they strengthened their position at the WSL pinnacle.

Back-to-Back Losses for Manchester United

This scoreline represented successive league losses for Skinner's side for the initial occasion since last May, placing them a significant margin off the top team with their trophy ambitions in serious doubt.

The Red Devils' capacity to juggle domestic and continental soccer with a thin team has been a hotly discussed issue since they secured entry to the European competition. Considering the fixture list, it always appeared this was the period that would seriously challenge this fortitude. Regrettably for the opposition, they appeared tired throughout, the historic win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having left its mark.

Team Changes

The United manager had attempted to rotate the squad with a handful of changes. Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all added energy, although the dropping of the on-form Melvine Malard to the sidelines was questioned.

The hosts, in opposition, have no such workload issues. Jeglertz made one adjustment from their most recent win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her first start since healing from a physical setback.

Dominant First Half

The trouble started to build for the United boss and his team from the kickoff. This was a exhibition of the quality from City whose energetic attack controlled and dismantled the opposition with a sublime opening period display that saw them put three past the keeper in 21 minutes.

This left the home team in a commanding position and had Manchester United disorganized. In advance of this match, the away side had let in just six in this league campaign but they disintegrated in the presence of City’s creative prowess.

Early Chances

The warning signs came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her power to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot wide. Hemp was at the core of everything in the beginning, using the space left by Riviere down the visitors' right side. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had multiple sorties forward, their direct style giving them options in the wide areas but they could not trouble the City goalkeeper. City, in the meantime, dominated possession, teasing their opposition and trying to pull them out of their structure.

Scoring Spree

They converted their dominance with almost thirty minutes played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A cross to the far post was headed across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was City’s seventh headed goal of the campaign.

They increased their cushion with an additional two goals just before the half-time. When Rose was allowed to maraud through the middle from central defence, the play opened up for City. The influential Casparij picked the ball up on the right before sending a accurate low cross for Shaw to force home. A short time later, they had a third after a quick change in the ball saw Lauren Hemp allowed the opportunity to strike a shot home from outside the box.

Final Period

The clearest adjustment came from the United manager at the break as Melvine Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the match. Former City player Park came most likely to score, striking the upright, but the visitors were creatively abject and were unable to register a single shot on goal.

The home side, meanwhile, could have added to their cushion when a superb Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the hosts. Previously unable to overcome any opponent who ended above them last season, Jeglertz’s side now have wins against the Gunners and United to place them in a favorable standing after nine matches.