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Similar to the recent storm swept through the north-west the previous evening, City overwhelmed United aside at the their home ground. It was a statement three goal victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that firmly established their leadership claims as they consolidated their position at the WSL pinnacle.

Consecutive Defeats for United

This scoreline marked successive Women's Super League setbacks for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, placing them a sizable gap off the top team with their trophy ambitions severely dented.

United’s ability to manage league and continental football with a thin team has been a frequently analyzed topic since they earned a place in the European competition. Looking at the calendar, it always appeared this was the period that would truly test this ability. Unfortunately for the opposition, they looked weary throughout, the memorable win against the French side clearly having had an impact.

Tactical Shifts

The United manager had attempted to freshen things up with a handful of adjustments. Ella Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all added energy, although the dropping of the on-form Malard to the bench raised a few eyebrows.

Manchester City, in comparison, have fewer fitness worries. Jeglertz made one change from last week’s win over Everton with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since returning from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The trouble started to gather for the United boss and his side from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the power from City whose potent offense controlled and tore United open with a excellent opening period performance that saw them net a trio in just over twenty minutes.

This left the home team in a commanding position and had Manchester United disorganized. Prior to this match, the away side had allowed just six in this domestic competition but they disintegrated in the wake of City’s offensive ingenuity.

Opening Threats

The omens came quickly when Miedema used her power to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot past the post. Hemp was at the center of everything early on, using the room left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her crosses were posing a threat and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had multiple sorties forward, their straightforward approach giving them options in the wings but they could not trouble the City goalkeeper. City, in the meantime, dominated the ball, probing their rivals and trying to pull them out of their organization.

Scoring Spree

They made their pressure count with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A cross to the back post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's 7th goal from a cross of the term.

They added to their lead with another pair of goals just before the half-time. When Rose was permitted to maraud through the midfield from defense, the pitch widened for City. The prominent Casparij received possession on the right side before sending a accurate low cross for Shaw to force home. Four minutes later, they had a third goal after a quick shift in the ball saw Lauren Hemp afforded the opportunity to strike a effort home from distance.

Final Period

The clearest adjustment came from Skinner at the half-time as Malard was introduced for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to alter the outcome of the match. Former City player Park came nearest, rattling the upright, but the away team were lacking in ideas and failed to produce a solitary shot on goal.

The home side, in contrast, could have increased their advantage when a delightful Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the hosts. Previously unable to defeat any opponent who placed above them last season, Jeglertz’s side now have wins against Arsenal and Manchester United to place them in a commanding standing after the opening fixtures.