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Similar to the recent storm hit the northwest the night before, the home side blew Manchester United aside at the Etihad. It was a emphatic three-nil win for the City coach's side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that firmly established their title credentials as they reinforced their place at the league summit.

Back-to-Back Losses for Manchester United

This scoreline signalled back-to-back Women's Super League losses for Skinner's side for the initial occasion since last May, leaving them seven points off the table toppers with their championship aspirations hanging by a thread.

The Red Devils' capability to manage domestic and European soccer with a limited team has been a hotly discussed subject since they earned a place in the UCL. Reviewing the calendar, it always seemed this was the period that would fully examine this ability. Regrettably for the opposition, they looked weary throughout, the memorable win against the French side clearly having had an impact.

Lineup Adjustments

Marc Skinner had tried to freshen things up with a a few adjustments. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all brought freshness, although the omission of the high-performing Melvine Malard to the sidelines caused surprise.

City, in contrast, have no similar loading concerns. Andrée Jeglertz made one change from last week’s win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since recovering from a fitness issue.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to build for the United boss and his team from the first whistle. This was a show of the strength from Manchester City whose dynamic forward line manipulated and tore United open with a sublime first half display that saw them net a trio in under half an hour.

This left the home team firmly in control and had Manchester United disorganized. Prior to this fixture, the away side had let in just a handful in this WSL season but they disintegrated in the face of Manchester City's attacking flair.

Initial Opportunities

The warning signs came quickly when Miedema used her physicality to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything in the beginning, taking advantage of the room left by Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her deliveries were posing a threat and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had a number of attacks forward, their direct style giving them choices in the wide areas but they could not test Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, on the other hand, controlled possession, probing their opponents and trying to draw them out of their defensive shape.

Scoring Spree

They made their pressure count with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a corner. A ball to the back post was headed across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was City’s seventh headed goal of the term.

They extended their advantage with two more goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was permitted to maraud through the midfield from central defence, the field widened for the hosts. The prominent Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the wing before sending a precise ground pass for Shaw to tap home. Shortly later, they had a third after a quick turnover in the ball saw Hemp afforded the opportunity to fire a effort home from range.

After the Break

The clearest adjustment came from Skinner at the half-time as Melvine Malard was introduced for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to shift the momentum of the game. Former City player Jess Park came closest, hitting the upright, but the visitors were offensively poor and did not manage to record a single shot on target.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have increased their lead when a superb Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the winning team. Having failed to beat any opponent who placed above them last season, Jeglertz’s side now have wins against Arsenal and United to put them in a favorable situation after nine matches.