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Similar to the recent storm hit the northwest the previous evening, City swept Manchester United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a emphatic 3-0 win for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that clearly signaled their championship potential as they reinforced their place at the top of the table.

Consecutive Defeats for United

This outcome represented back-to-back league losses for Skinner's side for the first time since last May, putting them a sizable gap off the table toppers with their championship aspirations in serious doubt.

United’s ability to manage domestic and European football with a thin squad has been a widely debated issue since they qualified for the UCL. Considering the calendar, it always felt like this was the period that would fully examine this ability. Unfortunately for the away side, they appeared weary all game, the memorable win against PSG clearly having taken a toll.

Tactical Shifts

Skinner had tried to rotate the squad with a a few alterations. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all added vigor, although the dropping of the in-form Melvine Malard to the sidelines was questioned.

Manchester City, in comparison, have no similar fitness concerns. Jeglertz made one adjustment from the previous win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since returning from a fitness issue.

Overpowering Start

The storm clouds started to gather for Skinner and his team from the first whistle. This was a show of the power from City whose energetic forward line manipulated and dismantled the opposition with a superb initial 45 minutes performance that saw them net a trio in just over twenty minutes.

This put the hosts completely dominant and saw the visitors all at sea. Prior to this encounter, the away side had let in just a handful in this league campaign but they fell apart in the wake of City’s creative prowess.

Early Chances

The warning signs came early when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, using the space left by Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her passes were causing problems and led to an opportunity for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of sorties forwards, their long-ball tactic giving them options in the wide areas but they could not test Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, in the meantime, dominated possession, taunting their rivals 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 set-piece. A ball to the far post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was City’s 7th headed goal of the term.

They added to their lead with another pair of goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was permitted to drive through the midfield from central defence, the pitch widened for City. The influential Casparij received possession on the wing before providing a accurate low cross for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. Four minutes later, they had a third after a swift turnover in possession saw Lauren Hemp given the space to fire a shot home from outside the box.

Second Half

The primary substitution came from the United manager at the interval as Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was ineffective to change the course of the contest. Ex- City player Jess Park came nearest, rattling the upright, but the away team were lacking in ideas and failed to register a single shot on target.

The home side, in contrast, could have added to their advantage when a delightful Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it did not affect the result to the hosts. Having failed to beat any opponent who ended above them the previous campaign, Jeglertz’s side now have wins against Arsenal and United to place them in a strong standing after nine matches.