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Much like Storm Claudia swept through the northwest the previous evening, Manchester City overwhelmed Manchester United aside at the Etihad. It was a statement 3-0 win for the City coach's side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a performance that firmly established their championship potential as they strengthened their position at the WSL pinnacle.

Consecutive Setbacks for Manchester United

This scoreline represented back-to-back WSL setbacks for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, leaving them a sizable gap off the league leaders with their championship aspirations severely dented.

United’s capability to balance league and continental soccer with a small squad has been a widely debated subject since they secured entry to the UCL. Looking at the schedule, it always appeared this was the week that would truly test this fortitude. Unfortunately for the opposition, they appeared weary throughout, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having taken a toll.

Tactical Shifts

Skinner had sought to freshen things up with a a few adjustments. Ella Toone, Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all added energy, although the omission of the in-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

Manchester City, in comparison, have no such workload issues. Andrée Jeglertz made a single alteration from their most recent win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her first start since healing from a fitness issue.

Commanding Opening Period

The pressure started to build for Skinner and his side from the opening minute. This was a exhibition of the power from City whose dynamic forward line played with and dismantled the opposition with a sublime initial 45 minutes showing that saw them net a trio in 21 minutes.

This put the hosts firmly in control and had Manchester United struggling. In advance of this encounter, United had let in just few in this league campaign but they fell apart in the wake of City’s offensive ingenuity.

Opening Threats

The early indicators came soon when Miedema used her physicality to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot past the post. Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, using the gap left by Riviere down United’s right flank. Her deliveries were creating danger and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had multiple attacks forward, their direct style giving them options in the wide areas but they could not challenge the City goalkeeper. City, in the meantime, commanded possession, taunting their opposition and trying to pull them out of their organization.

Goals Galore

They converted their dominance with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A ball to the far post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's 7th header of the season.

They increased their lead with two more goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was able to advance through the center from the back, the play widened for City. The influential Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the right side before providing a pinpoint low cross for Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a additional score after a rapid change in the ball saw Hemp given the space to drive a shot home from distance.

Second Half

The most obvious substitution came from Skinner at the half-time as Melvine Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was futile to shift the momentum of the contest. Ex- City player Jess Park came closest, striking the woodwork, but the visitors were offensively poor and did not manage to register a single shot on target.

The home side, in contrast, could have extended their advantage when a delightful Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it mattered little to the hosts. After failing to overcome any team who placed above them the previous campaign, Jeglertz’s side now have wins against the Gunners and Manchester United to place them in a commanding standing after the opening fixtures.