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Just as bad weather hit the northern region the previous evening, the home side swept the visitors aside at the their home ground. It was a emphatic three-nil victory for the City coach's side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that truly announced their championship potential as they consolidated their place at the WSL pinnacle.

Consecutive Losses for Manchester United

This result marked back-to-back Women's Super League setbacks for Marc Skinner’s side for the maiden instance since last May, leaving them seven points off the table toppers with their championship aspirations hanging by a thread.

Manchester United's ability to manage domestic and continental football with a small squad has been a hotly discussed subject since they earned a place in the UCL. Considering the calendar, it always appeared this was the matchday that would truly test this fortitude. Regrettably for the opposition, they seemed fatigued all game, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having had an impact.

Tactical Shifts

Skinner had tried to rotate the squad with a a few adjustments. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all added freshness, although the dropping of the on-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

The hosts, in contrast, have fewer fitness issues. The City coach made one change from the previous win over the Toffees with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since returning from injury.

Dominant First Half

The trouble started to accumulate for Skinner and his side from the opening minute. This was a show of the quality from Manchester City whose dynamic attack manipulated and dismantled the opposition with a excellent initial 45 minutes display that saw them score three goals in 21 minutes.

This left the home team in a commanding position and left United struggling. In advance of this encounter, the away side had let in just six in this domestic competition but they fell apart in the face of the hosts' creative prowess.

Initial Opportunities

The omens came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot wide. Hemp was at the core of everything from the start, taking advantage of the space left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her deliveries were causing problems and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had a number of attacks forward, their direct style giving them alternatives in the wings but they could not test the City goalkeeper. Manchester City, in the meantime, commanded the ball, taunting their opponents and trying to draw them out of their defensive shape.

Triple Strike

They turned chances into goals with almost the first period played when Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A cross to the back post was headed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's 7th goal from a cross of the term.

They extended their cushion with an additional two goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was allowed to advance through the middle from defense, the play widened for the hosts. The influential Casparij collected the pass on the right side before sending a accurate ground pass for Bunny Shaw to tap home. Four minutes later, they had a third goal after a quick change in the ball saw Hemp allowed the opportunity to drive a shot home from distance.

Second Half

The primary adjustment came from the United manager at the break as Melvine Malard came on for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to change the course of the match. Ex- City player Jess Park came most likely to score, hitting the woodwork, but the away team were offensively poor and did not manage to record a one shot on target.

The hosts, in contrast, could have extended their cushion when a excellent Vivianne Miedema pass sent Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it did not affect the result to the winning team. Having failed to defeat any team who ended above them last season, Jeglertz’s side now have victories against Arsenal and Manchester United to place them in a commanding situation after nine matches.