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Similar to the recent storm swept through the northwest the previous evening, the home side blew Manchester United away at the their home ground. It was a convincing three-nil victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that truly announced their title credentials as they consolidated their place at the WSL pinnacle.

Consecutive Setbacks for United

This scoreline signalled back-to-back WSL setbacks for Skinner's side for the maiden instance since last May, putting them seven points off the top team with their championship aspirations severely dented.

The Red Devils' ability to juggle domestic and European soccer with a limited squad has been a widely debated issue since they qualified for the UCL. Reviewing the schedule, it always appeared this was the period that would truly test this fortitude. Regrettably for the opposition, they appeared fatigued throughout, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having had an impact.

Lineup Adjustments

The United manager had attempted to make changes with a a few changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Galton all added energy, although the omission of the on-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes raised a few eyebrows.

Manchester City, in contrast, have no similar fitness concerns. The City coach made one adjustment from last week’s win over the Toffees with Hemp making her first start since recovering from a physical setback.

Overpowering Start

The trouble started to gather for the United boss and his side from the opening minute. This was a show of the quality from Manchester City whose energetic offense played with and dismantled the opposition with a sublime opening period display that saw them net a trio in under half an hour.

This left the home team firmly in control and had Manchester United all at sea. In advance of this encounter, United had let in just few in this WSL season but they disintegrated in the presence of Manchester City's attacking flair.

Early Chances

The omens came early when Vivianne Miedema used her power to push Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot wide. Hemp was at the center of everything early on, using the room left by Jayde Riviere down United’s wing. Her passes were posing a threat and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had a number of forays forwards, their straightforward approach giving them alternatives in the wide areas but they could not test Yamashita. City, in the meantime, controlled possession, taunting their rivals and trying to draw them out of their organization.

Triple Strike

They turned chances into goals with almost thirty minutes played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a corner. A cross to the back post was directed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to head in. It was Manchester City's seventh header of the term.

They extended their cushion with another pair of goals just before the half-time. When Rose was permitted to drive through the center from central defence, the pitch opened up for the hosts. The influential Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the right before sending a pinpoint low cross for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a quick change in possession saw Lauren Hemp allowed the opportunity to strike a effort home from range.

Final Period

The primary adjustment came from Skinner at the interval as Malard came on for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to shift the momentum of the game. Ex- City player Park came closest, hitting the upright, but the away team were lacking in ideas and were unable to record a one shot on target.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have added to their advantage when a excellent Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it mattered little to the hosts. Previously unable to beat any team who placed above them in the prior term, Jeglertz’s side now have victories against the Gunners and Manchester United to place them in a commanding situation after nine games.