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Just as the recent storm swept through the northwest the prior day, the home side swept United away at the their home ground. It was a convincing 3-0 win for the City coach's side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that firmly established their championship potential as they reinforced their place at the WSL pinnacle.

Consecutive Defeats for Manchester United

This result represented consecutive WSL losses for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, placing them seven points off the table toppers with their title hopes severely dented.

The Red Devils' capability to manage domestic and European soccer with a limited team has been a widely debated issue since they earned a place in the UCL. Reviewing the schedule, it always seemed this was the week that would seriously challenge this capability. Regrettably for the away side, they seemed tired from start to finish, the landmark win against the French side clearly having had an impact.

Team Changes

The United manager had tried to rotate the squad with a a few alterations. Ella Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all provided vigor, although the dropping of the in-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes raised a few eyebrows.

City, in contrast, have no such loading concerns. Andrée Jeglertz made one adjustment from last week’s win over Everton with Hemp making her first start since healing from a fitness issue.

Commanding Opening Period

The trouble started to accumulate for the United boss and his squad from the first whistle. This was a demonstration of the power from Manchester City whose energetic forward line manipulated and tore United open with a excellent opening period display that saw them score three goals in under half an hour.

This left the home team firmly in control and left United disorganized. Before this match, United had conceded just six in this domestic competition but they fell apart in the wake of City’s creative prowess.

Early Chances

The omens came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, using the gap left by Riviere down United’s right side. Her deliveries were causing problems and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had multiple attacks forward, their long-ball tactic giving them choices in the wide areas but they could not challenge Yamashita. Manchester City, meanwhile, commanded the ball, teasing their rivals and trying to draw them out of their structure.

Triple Strike

They turned chances into goals with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a corner. A cross to the far post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's seventh header of the term.

They increased their advantage with an additional two goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was able to maraud through the middle from the back, the pitch widened for the hosts. The influential Casparij collected the pass on the right before delivering a accurate low cross for Bunny Shaw to tap home. Four minutes later, they had a additional score after a quick change in possession saw Hemp afforded the room to fire a attempt home from range.

Second Half

The clearest substitution came from the United manager at the half-time as Melvine Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was futile to change the course of the game. Former City player Jess Park came nearest, hitting the upright, but the away team were creatively abject and were unable to record a single shot on goal.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have extended their cushion when a superb Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it did not affect the result to the winning team. After failing to beat any side who finished above them last season, City's side now have successes against Arsenal and United to position them in a commanding position after nine games.