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Much like bad weather tore through the north-west the previous evening, the home side blew the visitors aside at the Etihad. It was a emphatic 3-0 victory for the City coach's side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that firmly established their title credentials as they consolidated their place at the top of the table.

Back-to-Back Setbacks for United

This scoreline marked consecutive WSL setbacks for Skinner's side for the first time since last May, leaving them a significant margin off the top team with their championship aspirations in serious doubt.

United’s capacity to manage domestic and European soccer with a limited squad has been a frequently analyzed issue since they qualified for the European competition. Looking at the schedule, it always seemed this was the week that would truly test this fortitude. Unfortunately for the opposition, they seemed fatigued throughout, the memorable win against PSG clearly having taken a toll.

Lineup Adjustments

The United manager had attempted to freshen things up with a several alterations. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all brought energy, although the dropping of the in-form Malard to the bench was questioned.

The hosts, in comparison, have no similar fitness issues. The City coach made a single alteration from last week’s win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her first start since returning from a fitness issue.

Overpowering Start

The storm clouds started to accumulate for the United boss and his side from the first whistle. This was a demonstration of the power from City whose energetic attack controlled and pulled the visitors apart with a superb first half display that saw them net a trio in under half an hour.

This left the home team firmly in control and left United disorganized. Before this encounter, the away side had conceded just a handful 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 muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything in the beginning, taking advantage of the space left by Riviere down United’s right side. Her passes were creating danger and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of attacks forwards, their straightforward approach giving them alternatives in the wide areas but they could not test the City goalkeeper. City, in the meantime, controlled the ball, probing their opponents and trying to lure them of their structure.

Goals Galore

They turned chances into goals with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A delivery to the far post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was City’s seventh goal from a cross of the campaign.

They extended their advantage with another pair of goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was allowed to advance through the midfield from the back, the field widened for the hosts. The prominent Casparij picked the ball up on the right side before sending a pinpoint ground pass for Bunny Shaw to tap home. A short time later, they had a third after a quick turnover in possession saw Hemp given the opportunity to strike a attempt home from outside the box.

After the Break

The clearest adjustment came from the United manager at the break as Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was ineffective to shift the momentum of the contest. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came most likely to score, striking the upright, but the away team were creatively abject and did not manage to produce a one shot on goal.

The hosts, on the other hand, could have extended their advantage when a excellent Miedema pass sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it did not affect the result to the hosts. Having failed to overcome any opponent who ended above them last season, Jeglertz’s side now have wins against the Gunners and Manchester United to place them in a strong standing after nine games.