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Much like Storm Claudia hit the northern region the night before, the home side blew United away at the their home ground. It was a emphatic 3-0 victory for the City coach's side owing to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that clearly signaled their championship potential as they reinforced their position at the WSL pinnacle.

Back-to-Back Setbacks for United

This outcome marked back-to-back league setbacks for Skinner's side for the initial occasion since last May, leaving them seven points off the league leaders with their title hopes hanging by a thread.

The Red Devils' ability to juggle domestic and continental soccer with a limited roster has been a hotly discussed subject since they qualified for the UCL. Looking at the fixture list, it always appeared this was the week that would truly test this capability. Unfortunately for the visitors, they appeared fatigued from start to finish, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having left its mark.

Team Changes

Skinner had tried to make changes with a a few changes. Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all brought energy, although the dropping of the on-form Melvine Malard to the bench caused surprise.

Manchester City, in opposition, have no similar loading issues. Andrée Jeglertz made a single alteration from last week’s win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since healing from injury.

Commanding Opening Period

The trouble started to build for Skinner and his side from the opening minute. This was a exhibition of the strength from Manchester City whose potent attack controlled and pulled the visitors apart with a superb first half display that saw them put three past the keeper in under half an hour.

This left the home team in a commanding position and had Manchester United disorganized. Before this match, United had allowed just six in this domestic competition but they disintegrated in the face of City’s attacking flair.

Early Chances

The omens came soon when Miedema used her strength to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, taking advantage of the gap left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her deliveries were causing problems and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had multiple sorties ahead, their direct style giving them choices in the wide areas but they could not trouble Ayaka Yamashita. City, meanwhile, dominated the ball, taunting their rivals and trying to pull them out of their structure.

Scoring Spree

They converted their dominance with almost the first period played when Fujino won the hosts a corner. A delivery to the far post was directed across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was City’s 7th headed goal of the campaign.

They added to their cushion with an additional two goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was permitted to maraud through the middle from the back, the play opened up for the hosts. The prominent Casparij picked the ball up on the wing before providing a accurate low cross for Shaw to bundle home. Shortly later, they had a additional score after a rapid shift in possession saw Lauren Hemp afforded the opportunity to strike a shot home from range.

After the Break

The clearest adjustment came from the United manager at the half-time as Melvine Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was futile to change the course of the match. Former City player Park came closest, rattling the woodwork, but the away team were creatively abject and failed to record a one shot on target.

The home side, on the other hand, could have increased their advantage when a excellent Miedema through ball sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the winning team. After failing to beat any team who ended above them in the prior term, Jeglertz’s side now have wins against Arsenal and United to place them in a favorable situation after the opening fixtures.