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Similar to Storm Claudia swept through the northwest the previous evening, the home side swept Manchester United aside at the Etihad. It was a statement three goal triumph for the City coach's side owing to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that truly announced their title credentials as they consolidated their standing at the league summit.

Consecutive Setbacks for United

This result signalled consecutive WSL losses for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, leaving them seven points off the top team with their championship aspirations in serious doubt.

The Red Devils' capacity to juggle league and European football with a small roster has been a hotly discussed subject since they earned a place in the Champions League. Considering the schedule, it always seemed this was the week that would truly test this capability. Sadly for the away side, they appeared tired throughout, the historic win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having left its mark.

Lineup Adjustments

The United manager had attempted to rotate the squad with a handful of changes. Ella Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all provided energy, although the dropping of the in-form Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

The hosts, in contrast, have no such workload concerns. Jeglertz made a single alteration from the previous win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her initial starting appearance since recovering from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The trouble started to gather for Skinner and his squad from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the strength from Manchester City whose potent forward line played with and tore United open with a sublime first half performance that saw them put three past the keeper in 21 minutes.

This placed City firmly in control and saw the visitors struggling. Prior to this encounter, United had let in just few in this domestic competition but they fell apart in the wake of City’s creative prowess.

Initial Opportunities

The omens came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything in the beginning, using the room left by Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of forays forwards, their long-ball tactic giving them alternatives in the wings but they could not trouble the City goalkeeper. Manchester City, on the other hand, dominated the ball, probing their opposition and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Triple Strike

They turned chances into goals with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A ball to the back post was headed across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was City’s 7th headed goal of the season.

They added to their cushion with another pair of goals just before the break. When Rose was allowed to maraud through the middle from the back, the play opened up for City. The key Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right side before delivering a accurate driven ball for Shaw to bundle home. Shortly later, they had a third goal after a swift change in possession saw Hemp afforded the space to drive a attempt home from outside the box.

Second Half

The clearest adjustment came from the United manager at the break as Melvine Malard was introduced for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to alter the outcome of the match. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came closest, striking the post, but the away team were offensively poor and failed to register a one shot on goal.

The home side, in contrast, could have increased their cushion when a delightful Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it mattered little to the hosts. Having failed to overcome any team who finished above them last season, Jeglertz’s side now have successes against the Gunners and Manchester United to put them in a strong standing after nine matches.