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Just as the recent storm tore through the north-west the prior day, City blew the visitors away at the their home ground. It was a emphatic 3-0 victory for their manager's side due to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that truly announced their championship potential as they reinforced their position at the WSL pinnacle.

Consecutive Defeats for United

This scoreline marked back-to-back WSL defeats 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.

United’s capacity to manage domestic and continental soccer with a limited squad has been a widely debated subject since they secured entry to the Champions League. Considering the fixture list, it always seemed this was the week that would fully examine this ability. Regrettably for the visitors, they looked weary from start to finish, the memorable win against the French side clearly having taken a toll.

Lineup Adjustments

The United manager had attempted to make changes with a several changes. Ella Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all provided energy, although the dropping of the on-form Malard to the sidelines was questioned.

Manchester City, in opposition, have fewer fitness concerns. Andrée Jeglertz made a single alteration from the previous win over Everton with Hemp making her return to the lineup since healing from injury.

Dominant First Half

The trouble started to build for Skinner and his side from the opening minute. This was a exhibition of the strength from City whose energetic forward line played with and dismantled the opposition with a excellent first half performance that saw them put three past the keeper in just over twenty minutes.

This put the hosts completely dominant and saw the visitors struggling. Prior to this match, United had allowed just few in this WSL season but they disintegrated in the wake of Manchester City's creative prowess.

Early Chances

The omens came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything in the beginning, exploiting the room left by Riviere down United’s right flank. Her crosses were posing a threat and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

The Red Devils had several attacks ahead, their direct style giving them choices in the wings but they could not trouble the City goalkeeper. Manchester City, meanwhile, dominated the ball, teasing their opponents and trying to lure them of their organization.

Triple Strike

They made their pressure count with almost thirty minutes played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a corner. A delivery to the back post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's 7th headed goal of the term.

They increased their lead with two more goals just before the half-time. When Jade Rose was allowed to maraud through the midfield from the back, the play widened for City. The prominent Kerstin Casparij received possession on the wing before providing a pinpoint low cross for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. Shortly later, they had a third after a swift turnover in the ball saw Lauren Hemp given the room to drive a shot home from outside the box.

Second Half

The most obvious substitution came from the United manager at the break as Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to alter the outcome of the match. Former City player Park came most likely to score, rattling the woodwork, but the visitors were offensively poor and failed to register a one shot on target.

The home side, meanwhile, could have increased their lead when a delightful Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the winning team. Previously unable to beat any opponent who ended above them the previous campaign, City's side now have wins against Arsenal and Manchester United to put them in a favorable situation after nine games.