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Just as bad weather hit the north-west the previous evening, City swept Manchester United aside at the Etihad. It was a statement three goal victory for their manager's side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that truly announced their leadership claims as they consolidated their standing at the top of the table.

Consecutive Losses for United

This scoreline represented successive Women's Super League defeats for Skinner's side for the first time since last May, leaving them a significant margin off the league leaders with their championship aspirations hanging by a thread.

Manchester United's ability to manage league and European football with a small roster has been a frequently analyzed topic since they qualified for the European competition. Considering the schedule, it always appeared this was the week that would fully examine this ability. Unfortunately for the opposition, they looked fatigued all game, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having taken a toll.

Lineup Adjustments

Marc Skinner had attempted to make changes with a a few adjustments. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all provided energy, although the dropping of the high-performing Melvine Malard to the sidelines caused surprise.

Manchester City, in contrast, have fewer fitness concerns. Jeglertz made a single alteration from their most recent win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since recovering from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The pressure started to accumulate for the United boss and his team from the opening minute. This was a show of the power from City whose potent offense manipulated and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime opening period performance that saw them net a trio in just over twenty minutes.

This placed City 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 collapsed in the face of the hosts' attacking flair.

Initial Opportunities

The early indicators came early when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, using the gap left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' right side. Her passes were causing problems and led to an opportunity for Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of forays forwards, their direct style giving them alternatives in the wide areas but they could not challenge Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, on the other hand, controlled possession, probing their opponents and trying to lure them of their structure.

Scoring Spree

They converted their dominance with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the hosts a corner. A cross to the back post was headed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's 7th goal from a cross of the term.

They added to their advantage with another pair of goals just before the half-time. When Jade Rose was permitted to drive through the center from the back, the play widened for the hosts. The key Casparij picked the ball up on the right before providing a accurate driven ball for Bunny Shaw to force home. Four minutes later, they had a third goal after a quick change in possession saw Hemp afforded the opportunity to drive a attempt home from outside the box.

After the Break

The most obvious substitution came from the United manager at the half-time as Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was too late to change the course of the contest. Ex- City player Jess Park came most likely to score, rattling the post, but the visitors were creatively abject and failed to record a one shot on goal.

The hosts, on the other hand, could have increased their advantage when a delightful Miedema through ball sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the winning team. Previously unable to defeat any team who finished above them in the prior term, the manager's side now have victories against Arsenal and Manchester United to place them in a favorable position after nine games.