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Just as bad weather tore through the northern region the night before, City overwhelmed the visitors away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a convincing three goal triumph for the City coach's side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that truly announced their championship potential as they reinforced their place at the WSL pinnacle.

Back-to-Back Setbacks for Manchester United

This result signalled consecutive league losses for Skinner's side for the maiden instance since last May, placing them seven points off the top team with their trophy ambitions severely dented.

United’s ability to manage league and European soccer with a thin squad has been a frequently analyzed subject since they qualified for the European competition. Considering the fixture list, it always appeared this was the matchday that would seriously challenge this ability. Unfortunately for the visitors, they seemed fatigued all game, the landmark win against the French side clearly having left its mark.

Tactical Shifts

Skinner had attempted to make changes with a handful of changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all provided vigor, although the omission of the on-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

City, in opposition, have fewer fitness concerns. Jeglertz made one change from last week’s win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her initial starting appearance since healing from a fitness issue.

Commanding Opening Period

The trouble started to build for the United boss and his squad from the kickoff. This was a show of the power from Manchester City whose energetic forward line controlled and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime first half display that saw them put three past the keeper in 21 minutes.

This placed City in a commanding position and had Manchester United disorganized. In advance of this fixture, United had let in just few in this WSL season but they disintegrated in the face of Manchester City's attacking flair.

Opening Threats

The omens came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her power to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, using the space left by Riviere down United’s right side. Her crosses were posing a threat and led to an opportunity for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of forays forwards, their direct style giving them choices in the wide areas but they could not challenge the City goalkeeper. Manchester City, on the other hand, dominated the ball, teasing their opposition and trying to draw them out of their organization.

Scoring Spree

They turned chances into goals with almost the first period played when Fujino won the home team a corner. A delivery to the far post was headed across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's 7th headed goal of the campaign.

They increased their lead with two more goals just before the break. When Rose was able to maraud through the middle from the back, the pitch became spacious for City. The prominent Casparij picked the ball up on the right side before providing a accurate low cross for Shaw to force home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a rapid change in the ball saw Hemp allowed the room to strike a effort home from outside the box.

After the Break

The most obvious adjustment came from Skinner at the break as Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was too late to change the course of the match. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came closest, rattling the post, but the visitors were offensively poor and did not manage to record a solitary shot on target.

The home side, on the other hand, could have added to their lead when a excellent Vivianne Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it mattered little to the winning team. Previously unable to beat any team who finished above them the previous campaign, the manager's side now have victories against Arsenal and United to put them in a commanding position after nine games.