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Just as the recent storm swept through the north-west the previous evening, City swept Manchester United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement 3-0 victory for the City coach's side owing to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a performance that firmly established their championship potential as they consolidated their position at the WSL pinnacle.

Consecutive Losses for United

This scoreline marked back-to-back WSL defeats for the United manager's side for the maiden instance since last May, putting them seven points off the league leaders with their championship aspirations severely dented.

The Red Devils' capability to manage domestic and European football with a thin team has been a frequently analyzed topic since they earned a place in the UCL. Considering the calendar, it always appeared this was the week that would truly test this capability. Unfortunately for the away side, they looked weary throughout, the landmark win against PSG clearly having taken a toll.

Lineup Adjustments

Skinner had tried to freshen things up with a a few alterations. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Galton all added vigor, although the exclusion of the high-performing Melvine Malard to the sidelines caused surprise.

Manchester City, in opposition, have no such fitness issues. Andrée Jeglertz made one change from their most recent win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since returning from injury.

Dominant First Half

The storm clouds started to gather for Skinner and his team from the first whistle. This was a show of the quality from City whose potent offense controlled and tore United open with a excellent initial 45 minutes display that saw them net a trio in 21 minutes.

This placed City firmly in control and had Manchester United all at sea. Prior to this match, the away side had conceded just six in this WSL season but they disintegrated in the presence of the hosts' offensive ingenuity.

Early Chances

The omens came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot off target. Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, taking advantage of the room left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right flank. Her passes were creating danger and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had several attacks forward, their direct style giving them options in the flanks but they could not challenge the City goalkeeper. City, on the other hand, dominated possession, teasing their opposition and trying to lure them of their structure.

Goals Galore

They converted their dominance with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A cross to the far post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was City’s 7th goal from a cross of the term.

They extended their lead with another pair of goals just before the interval. When Rose was allowed to drive through the middle from central defence, the play became spacious for City. The influential Casparij picked the ball up on the right before providing a pinpoint ground pass for Bunny Shaw to tap home. Shortly later, they had a additional score after a swift turnover in the ball saw Lauren Hemp afforded the opportunity to strike a attempt home from range.

Second Half

The clearest substitution came from the United manager at the break as Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was futile to change the course of the match. Former Manchester City player Park came nearest, rattling the woodwork, but the away team were lacking in ideas and were unable to record a solitary shot on goal.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have extended their lead when a excellent Vivianne Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it did not affect the result to the hosts. After failing to overcome any side who ended above them last season, the manager's side now have wins against the Gunners and United to place them in a strong standing after the opening fixtures.