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Just as bad weather swept through the northern region the night before, the home side swept United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a emphatic three goal victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that clearly signaled their leadership claims as they reinforced their position at the top of the table.

Successive Losses for Manchester United

This result represented successive WSL losses for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, leaving them a sizable gap off the table toppers with their trophy ambitions severely dented.

United’s ability to manage league and continental football with a thin roster has been a hotly discussed topic since they earned a place in the European competition. Reviewing the calendar, it always appeared this was the week that would seriously challenge this ability. Unfortunately for the away side, they appeared weary all game, the landmark win against PSG clearly having had an impact.

Lineup Adjustments

Marc Skinner had attempted to freshen things up with a a few adjustments. Ella Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all added freshness, although the dropping of the on-form Malard to the bench caused surprise.

The hosts, in contrast, have fewer loading issues. Jeglertz made a single alteration from the previous win over Everton with Hemp making her return to the lineup since healing from a physical setback.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to build for Skinner and his team from the kickoff. This was a show of the power from City whose dynamic forward line manipulated and dismantled the opposition with a superb initial 45 minutes showing that saw them put three past the keeper in under half an hour.

This left the home team completely dominant and had Manchester United struggling. Prior to this fixture, the away side had allowed just few in this WSL season but they fell apart in the face of City’s creative prowess.

Initial Opportunities

The early indicators came early when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to push Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything in the beginning, taking advantage of the room left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right side. Her passes were posing a threat and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had multiple attacks forwards, their long-ball tactic giving them choices in the flanks but they could not challenge Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, in the meantime, controlled possession, probing their opposition and trying to lure them of their organization.

Scoring Spree

They converted their dominance with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the hosts a corner. A ball to the back post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was Manchester City's 7th header of the season.

They increased their lead with another pair of goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was permitted to maraud through the midfield from central defence, the field opened up for City. The prominent Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right side before providing a pinpoint ground pass for Shaw to force home. Shortly later, they had a third goal after a swift turnover in the ball saw Lauren Hemp allowed the opportunity to strike a attempt home from distance.

After the Break

The clearest substitution came from Skinner at the break as Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was too late to shift the momentum of the match. Ex- Manchester City player Park came most likely to score, hitting the post, but the away team were creatively abject and did not manage to register a one shot on goal.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have extended their cushion when a delightful Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it mattered little to the hosts. Having failed to beat any side who ended above them the previous campaign, City's side now have victories against Arsenal and Manchester United to position them in a favorable position after nine matches.