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Just as the recent storm swept through the north-west the previous evening, Manchester City overwhelmed Manchester United away at the Etihad. It was a convincing three goal victory for their manager's side due to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that firmly established their championship potential as they consolidated their position at the WSL pinnacle.

Back-to-Back Defeats for United

This scoreline marked successive WSL setbacks for Marc Skinner’s side for the initial occasion since last May, leaving them seven points off the top team with their championship aspirations severely dented.

The Red Devils' capability to manage domestic and continental soccer with a thin squad has been a hotly discussed topic since they qualified for the UCL. Considering the fixture list, it always appeared this was the week that would fully examine this capability. Regrettably for the away side, they appeared weary throughout, the historic win against the French side clearly having taken a toll.

Lineup Adjustments

Marc Skinner had tried to rotate the squad with a several changes. Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all added vigor, although the exclusion of the in-form Melvine Malard to the sidelines caused surprise.

City, in contrast, have no such fitness worries. Jeglertz made one adjustment from the previous win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her initial starting appearance since healing from injury.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to build for Skinner and his side from the first whistle. This was a demonstration of the power from Manchester City whose potent forward line manipulated and pulled the visitors apart with a superb opening period showing that saw them net a trio in 21 minutes.

This left the home team firmly in control and had Manchester United struggling. Before this encounter, United had allowed just few in this domestic competition but they fell apart in the face of City’s offensive ingenuity.

Opening Threats

The early indicators came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to push Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot off target. Hemp was at the core of everything in the beginning, exploiting the gap left by Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her deliveries were creating danger and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of attacks ahead, their long-ball tactic giving them options in the wings but they could not trouble the City goalkeeper. Manchester City, in the meantime, commanded possession, taunting their opposition and trying to pull them out of their organization.

Triple Strike

They converted their dominance with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the home team a corner. A ball to the far post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's seventh goal from a cross of the campaign.

They increased their cushion with another pair of goals just before the half-time. When Rose was permitted to advance through the center from defense, the pitch opened up for the hosts. The key Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right before providing a pinpoint ground pass for Bunny Shaw to force home. Shortly later, they had a third goal after a quick change in possession saw Hemp allowed the opportunity to strike a effort home from distance.

After the Break

The clearest adjustment came from Skinner at the break as Melvine Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was ineffective to shift the momentum of the game. Ex- Manchester City player Park came nearest, striking the woodwork, but the away team were offensively poor and were unable to register a solitary shot on goal.

The home side, on the other hand, could have extended their lead when a superb Vivianne Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it was insignificant to the hosts. Previously unable to beat any team who ended above them the previous campaign, Jeglertz’s side now have wins against Arsenal and United to put them in a commanding position after nine matches.