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Much like bad weather tore through the northern region the prior day, City swept Manchester United aside at the Etihad. It was a statement three goal victory for their manager's side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that clearly signaled their title credentials as they strengthened their position at the league summit.

Back-to-Back Losses for United

This outcome represented back-to-back Women's Super League losses for the United manager's side for the maiden instance since last May, leaving them seven points off the league leaders with their title hopes severely dented.

United’s capability to balance league and continental soccer with a thin team has been a widely debated issue since they earned a place in the Champions League. Reviewing the calendar, it always appeared this was the matchday that would truly test this fortitude. Regrettably for the away side, they seemed tired all game, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having left its mark.

Team Changes

Skinner had attempted to freshen things up with a handful of alterations. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all brought energy, although the dropping of the in-form Melvine Malard to the sidelines was questioned.

City, in opposition, have no such loading concerns. Jeglertz made one adjustment from the previous win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her initial starting appearance since returning from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The trouble started to gather for Skinner and his squad from the opening minute. This was a show of the strength from Manchester City whose potent attack played with and tore United open with a superb first half showing that saw them score three goals in just over twenty minutes.

This placed City in a commanding position and left United struggling. In advance of this encounter, United had conceded just few in this league campaign but they collapsed in the presence of City’s offensive ingenuity.

Initial Opportunities

The warning signs came quickly when Miedema used her physicality to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot wide. Hemp was at the center of everything in the beginning, using the gap left by Riviere down United’s right side. Her crosses were posing a threat and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line.

The Red Devils had several attacks forwards, their long-ball tactic giving them options in the flanks but they could not challenge Yamashita. City, in the meantime, controlled the ball, taunting their opposition and trying to draw them out of their organization.

Triple Strike

They converted their dominance with almost half an hour played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a corner. A delivery to the far post was directed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to head in. It was Manchester City's seventh goal from a cross of the season.

They increased their cushion with two more goals just before the break. When Rose was able to drive through the middle from central defence, the field opened up for the hosts. The prominent Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right before providing a accurate ground pass for Shaw to force home. Four minutes later, they had a third after a quick change in possession saw Lauren Hemp given the space to drive a effort home from distance.

Second Half

The primary substitution came from Skinner at the half-time as Melvine Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the game. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came most likely to score, hitting the upright, but the away team were offensively poor and were unable to record a single shot on goal.

The home side, on the other hand, could have extended their lead when a excellent Miedema through ball sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the hosts. Having failed to defeat any opponent who finished above them the previous campaign, City's side now have wins against the Gunners and Manchester United to position them in a commanding standing after the opening fixtures.