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Just as bad weather tore through the northwest the previous evening, Manchester City swept United away at the their home ground. It was a emphatic three-nil victory for their manager's side due to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that truly announced their leadership claims as they consolidated their place at the WSL pinnacle.

Successive Defeats for Manchester United

This scoreline signalled back-to-back league setbacks for Marc Skinner’s side for the initial occasion since last May, leaving them a sizable gap off the top team with their title hopes severely dented.

Manchester United's capacity to manage league and continental soccer with a thin team has been a hotly discussed subject since they secured entry to the UCL. Reviewing the calendar, it always seemed this was the week that would truly test this fortitude. Regrettably for the visitors, they seemed fatigued throughout, the memorable win against the French side clearly having taken a toll.

Team Changes

Skinner had tried to rotate the squad with a a few adjustments. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all provided vigor, although the omission of the on-form Malard to the substitutes was questioned.

The hosts, in contrast, have fewer loading concerns. Andrée Jeglertz made one adjustment from last week’s win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her initial starting appearance since recovering from a physical setback.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to build for Skinner and his squad from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the strength from Manchester City whose dynamic forward line controlled and tore United open with a sublime initial 45 minutes showing that saw them put three past the keeper in under half an hour.

This put the hosts completely dominant and left United struggling. Prior to this match, the away side had allowed just few in this domestic competition but they disintegrated in the presence of the hosts' offensive ingenuity.

Opening Threats

The warning signs came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her power to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything in the beginning, exploiting the space left by Riviere down the visitors' right side. Her deliveries were causing problems and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of attacks forwards, their long-ball tactic giving them choices in the wings but they could not trouble Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, meanwhile, dominated possession, teasing their rivals and trying to draw them out of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They made their pressure count with almost the first period 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 head in. It was Manchester City's 7th header of the season.

They extended their advantage with two more goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was able to drive through the center from central defence, the play widened for City. The key Casparij collected the pass on the right before sending a accurate driven ball for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. Shortly later, they had a third after a quick change in possession saw Hemp given the room to fire a shot home from range.

Final Period

The most obvious change came from the United manager at the interval as Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was futile to change the course of the match. Former City player Jess Park came nearest, rattling the upright, but the visitors were offensively poor and failed to register a one shot on target.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have added to their advantage when a delightful Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it mattered little to the hosts. Previously unable to defeat any side who placed above them in the prior term, Jeglertz’s side now have successes against the Gunners and United to place them in a strong situation after nine games.