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Just as bad weather tore through the northwest the previous evening, the home side blew the visitors away at the Etihad. It was a statement three goal victory for their manager's side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that truly announced their title credentials as they reinforced their position at the top of the table.

Back-to-Back Defeats for United

This scoreline represented successive league losses for Skinner's side for the initial occasion since last May, leaving them a sizable gap off the table toppers with their title hopes hanging by a thread.

United’s capability to manage domestic and European soccer with a small squad has been a frequently analyzed subject since they earned a place in the Champions League. Reviewing the schedule, it always felt like this was the week that would truly test this ability. Regrettably for the opposition, they appeared tired all game, the historic win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having had an impact.

Lineup Adjustments

The United manager had tried to rotate the squad with a a few adjustments. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all brought freshness, although the omission of the high-performing Malard to the sidelines caused surprise.

Manchester City, in comparison, have no such fitness concerns. Jeglertz made one change from the previous win over the Toffees with Hemp making her return to the lineup since healing from a physical setback.

Commanding Opening Period

The trouble started to build for the United boss and his team from the opening minute. This was a exhibition of the power from Manchester City whose potent attack manipulated and dismantled the opposition with a excellent opening period display that saw them net a trio in just over twenty minutes.

This put the hosts in a commanding position and had Manchester United all at sea. Prior to this encounter, United had let in just six in this WSL season but they fell apart in the presence of City’s attacking flair.

Initial Opportunities

The early indicators came quickly when Miedema used her physicality to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything early on, exploiting the space left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Sandberg kicked off the line.

The Red Devils had several attacks forwards, their long-ball tactic giving them options in the wings but they could not challenge the City goalkeeper. Manchester City, in the meantime, controlled the ball, probing their rivals and trying to draw them out of their structure.

Triple Strike

They turned chances into goals with almost the first period played when Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A cross to the back post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's 7th headed goal of the season.

They extended their lead with two more goals just before the half-time. When Rose was permitted to maraud through the midfield from the back, the pitch opened up for the hosts. The key Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right before sending a pinpoint driven ball for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. Shortly later, they had a third after a swift shift in the ball saw Lauren Hemp afforded the room to strike a effort home from distance.

After the Break

The primary substitution came from Skinner at the interval as Melvine Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to shift the momentum of the game. Ex- City player Park came nearest, hitting the upright, but the away team were creatively abject and failed to record a solitary shot on goal.

The home side, in contrast, could have extended their advantage when a delightful Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it mattered little to the winning team. Previously unable to overcome any side who placed above them in the prior term, Jeglertz’s side now have victories against the Gunners and United to position them in a commanding situation after the opening fixtures.