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Much like the recent storm tore through the north-west the previous evening, the home side swept Manchester United away at the their home ground. It was a statement three-nil victory for their manager's side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a performance that clearly signaled their leadership claims as they strengthened their standing at the top of the table.

Successive Defeats for Manchester United

This result signalled back-to-back WSL losses for the United manager's side for the initial occasion since last May, placing them seven points off the league leaders with their title hopes hanging by a thread.

United’s capability to balance league and continental soccer with a limited team has been a hotly discussed issue since they secured entry to the Champions League. Considering the schedule, it always felt like this was the week that would seriously challenge this ability. Unfortunately for the away side, they looked weary throughout, the memorable win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having taken a toll.

Team Changes

Marc Skinner had attempted to rotate the squad with a handful of alterations. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Galton all brought vigor, although the exclusion of the in-form Malard to the bench caused surprise.

City, in opposition, have no such loading concerns. Jeglertz made one adjustment from the previous win over Everton with Hemp making her first start since healing from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The storm clouds started to build for Skinner and his side from the kickoff. This was a exhibition of the strength from City whose dynamic forward line manipulated and dismantled the opposition with a superb first half display that saw them put three past the keeper in 21 minutes.

This put the hosts in a commanding position and saw the visitors struggling. In advance of this encounter, United had allowed just few in this league campaign but they disintegrated in the wake of City’s offensive ingenuity.

Early Chances

The omens came quickly when Miedema used her strength to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything early on, exploiting the room left by Riviere down United’s right flank. Her passes were causing problems and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had multiple attacks forward, their straightforward approach giving them choices in the flanks but they could not challenge the City goalkeeper. City, on the other hand, commanded the ball, teasing their opponents and trying to draw them out of their structure.

Goals Galore

They converted their dominance with almost the first period played when Fujino won the home team a corner. A cross to the far post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was City’s 7th headed goal of the season.

They extended their advantage with two more goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was allowed to maraud through the midfield from central defence, the field opened up for City. The influential Casparij received possession on the right before providing a accurate low cross for Bunny Shaw to force home. Four minutes later, they had a third after a swift turnover in possession saw Lauren Hemp afforded the space to drive a shot home from range.

Final Period

The clearest change came from the United manager at the break as Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was too late to shift the momentum of the contest. Former Manchester City player Park came most likely to score, rattling the woodwork, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and did not manage to record a one shot on goal.

The hosts, in contrast, could have extended their cushion when a superb Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the hosts. Having failed to defeat any opponent who placed above them in the prior term, the manager's side now have successes against Arsenal and Manchester United to place them in a favorable situation after nine games.