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Similar to Storm Claudia tore through the northern region the previous evening, the home side swept the visitors aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a emphatic 3-0 triumph for the City coach's side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that firmly established their title credentials as they reinforced their standing at the WSL pinnacle.

Back-to-Back Defeats for United

This scoreline signalled successive league losses for Skinner's side for the first time since last May, leaving them a significant margin off the league leaders with their trophy ambitions in serious doubt.

United’s ability to manage domestic and European soccer with a thin squad has been a widely debated topic since they earned a place in the Champions League. Considering the fixture list, it always appeared this was the week that would seriously challenge this fortitude. Sadly for the away side, they seemed tired all game, the memorable win against the French side clearly having left its mark.

Tactical Shifts

The United manager had sought to rotate the squad with a several adjustments. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all added vigor, although the exclusion of the in-form Malard to the bench raised a few eyebrows.

Manchester City, in contrast, have no similar workload worries. Jeglertz made one change from their most recent win over the Toffees with Hemp making her first start since healing from a fitness issue.

Overpowering Start

The trouble started to build for the United boss and his team from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the strength from City whose dynamic offense played with and tore United open with a sublime opening period display that saw them put three past the keeper in 21 minutes.

This placed City completely dominant and left United struggling. Prior to this fixture, the away side had let in just six in this league campaign but they disintegrated in the presence of City’s offensive ingenuity.

Opening Threats

The warning signs came quickly when Miedema used her physicality to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot wide. Hemp was at the heart of everything in the beginning, taking advantage of the room left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her deliveries were creating danger and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line.

The Red Devils had multiple forays forwards, their direct style giving them options in the wings but they could not test Yamashita. City, on the other hand, commanded the ball, probing their rivals and trying to lure them of their organization.

Triple Strike

They converted their dominance with almost thirty minutes played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a corner. A ball to the back post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to head in. It was Manchester City's 7th headed goal of the season.

They extended their cushion with an additional two goals just before the break. When Rose was permitted to maraud through the midfield from the back, the play became spacious for the hosts. The prominent Casparij collected the pass on the right side before sending a accurate ground pass for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a additional score after a quick turnover in the ball saw Hemp afforded the opportunity to drive a attempt home from outside the box.

Second Half

The most obvious substitution came from the United manager at the interval as Melvine Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was futile to change the course of the match. Former City player Park came closest, rattling the post, but the away team were creatively abject and failed to record a one shot on target.

The hosts, on the other hand, could have extended their advantage when a superb Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it was insignificant to the hosts. Having failed to defeat any opponent who finished above them last season, Jeglertz’s side now have wins against the Gunners and United to put them in a strong position after nine matches.