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Just as the recent storm swept through the northern region the night before, City swept United aside at the Etihad. It was a statement three-nil triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that firmly established their leadership claims as they consolidated their standing at the league summit.

Back-to-Back Defeats for United

This outcome signalled consecutive WSL losses for Marc Skinner’s side for the first time since last May, placing them seven points off the table toppers with their championship aspirations severely dented.

The Red Devils' ability to balance league and European soccer with a small team has been a frequently analyzed subject since they earned a place in the European competition. Reviewing the calendar, it always seemed this was the week that would truly test this ability. Unfortunately for the visitors, they appeared tired throughout, the memorable win against PSG clearly having had an impact.

Tactical Shifts

The United manager had sought to make changes with a handful of alterations. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all added freshness, although the omission of the in-form Malard to the bench caused surprise.

The hosts, in contrast, have fewer workload issues. Andrée Jeglertz made a single alteration from their most recent win over the Toffees with Hemp making her return to the lineup since returning from a physical setback.

Commanding Opening Period

The trouble started to build for the United boss and his squad from the opening minute. This was a show of the power from Manchester City whose energetic attack manipulated and dismantled the opposition with a superb first half performance that saw them put three past the keeper in just over twenty minutes.

This placed City in a commanding position and had Manchester United struggling. Prior to this match, United had allowed just few in this league campaign but they collapsed in the wake of Manchester City's creative prowess.

Opening Threats

The omens came soon when Miedema used her strength to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything in the beginning, taking advantage of the room left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right flank. Her passes were causing problems and led to an attempt for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line.

The Red Devils had several attacks ahead, their direct style giving them options in the flanks but they could not test Yamashita. City, in the meantime, dominated possession, teasing their opponents and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Triple Strike

They made their pressure count with almost thirty minutes played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a corner. A cross to the back post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to score. It was City’s 7th goal from a cross of the term.

They added to their cushion with an additional two goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was allowed to maraud through the middle from defense, the play became spacious for City. The prominent Kerstin Casparij received possession on the wing before delivering a accurate ground pass for Shaw to tap home. A short time later, they had a third after a quick turnover in the ball saw Lauren Hemp afforded the room to fire a attempt home from range.

After the Break

The most obvious adjustment came from Skinner at the break as Melvine Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was too late to change the course of the game. Former City player Jess Park came most likely to score, striking the upright, but the visitors were offensively poor and did not manage to register a solitary shot on goal.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have extended their advantage when a delightful Vivianne Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it mattered little to the hosts. Previously unable to overcome any team who ended above them last season, City's side now have successes against Arsenal and Manchester United to put them in a favorable standing after nine games.