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Similar to Storm Claudia swept through the north-west the night before, the home side blew the visitors aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement three-nil victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that clearly signaled their leadership claims as they strengthened their standing at the top of the table.

Successive Losses for United

This scoreline marked consecutive WSL losses for Skinner's side for the first time since last May, putting them a sizable gap off the league leaders with their championship aspirations severely dented.

The Red Devils' capacity to juggle league and European soccer with a thin squad has been a hotly discussed subject since they earned a place in the UCL. Looking at the fixture list, it always felt like this was the matchday that would seriously challenge this capability. Sadly for the opposition, they looked fatigued from start to finish, the memorable win against the French side clearly having had an impact.

Team Changes

The United manager had sought to freshen things up with a a few changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all brought vigor, although the exclusion of the high-performing Melvine Malard to the substitutes raised a few eyebrows.

City, in comparison, have fewer fitness issues. Andrée Jeglertz made one adjustment from last week’s win over the Toffees with Hemp making her return to the lineup since returning from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The trouble started to build for the United boss and his side from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the quality from Manchester City whose potent offense manipulated and tore United open with a sublime first half display that saw them score three goals in under half an hour.

This put the hosts in a commanding position and had Manchester United all at sea. In advance of this encounter, the away side had conceded just few in this WSL season but they disintegrated in the face of City’s attacking flair.

Early Chances

The early indicators came soon when Miedema used her strength to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot past the post. Hemp was at the heart of everything from the start, using the room left by Riviere down United’s right flank. Her passes were posing a threat and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of forays forwards, their straightforward approach giving them alternatives in the flanks but they could not challenge the City goalkeeper. City, on the other hand, commanded possession, teasing their opposition and trying to draw them out of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They converted their dominance with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A delivery to the far post was directed across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was City’s seventh headed goal of the term.

They increased their cushion with an additional two goals just before the break. When Rose was able to advance through the middle from defense, the play widened for the hosts. The key Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right side before sending a pinpoint low cross for Shaw to tap home. Four minutes later, they had a third goal after a swift turnover in the ball saw Hemp allowed the room to drive a effort home from outside the box.

Final Period

The most obvious substitution came from the United manager at the half-time as Malard was introduced for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to change the course of the game. Ex- Manchester City player Park came nearest, rattling the upright, but the away team were creatively abject and failed to produce a solitary shot on target.

The hosts, on the other hand, could have added to their lead when a superb Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it mattered little to the winning team. Having failed to defeat any team who ended above them last season, the manager's side now have successes against Arsenal and United to put them in a commanding standing after nine matches.