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Much like the recent storm swept through the northern region the prior day, Manchester City blew Manchester United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a emphatic three goal triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side owing to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that firmly established their leadership claims as they consolidated their position at the WSL pinnacle.

Consecutive Losses for Manchester United

This scoreline signalled successive Women's Super League setbacks for Marc Skinner’s side for the first time since last May, putting them a significant margin off the top team with their title hopes hanging by a thread.

United’s capability to balance domestic and continental football with a limited roster has been a widely debated topic since they earned a place in the European competition. Reviewing the calendar, it always appeared this was the week that would truly test this fortitude. Unfortunately for the opposition, they appeared weary all game, the memorable win against the French side clearly having left its mark.

Tactical Shifts

Skinner had attempted to make changes with a several adjustments. Ella Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all brought vigor, although the exclusion of the high-performing Melvine Malard to the sidelines raised a few eyebrows.

City, in contrast, have no such loading issues. Andrée Jeglertz made one change from the previous win over the Toffees with Hemp making her first start since healing from injury.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to build for Skinner and his side from the opening minute. This was a demonstration of the power from City whose potent forward line manipulated and tore United open with a sublime initial 45 minutes showing that saw them put three past the keeper in just over twenty minutes.

This left the home team firmly in control and had Manchester United struggling. Before this match, the away side had allowed just six in this WSL season but they collapsed in the wake of the hosts' attacking flair.

Opening Threats

The warning signs came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot past the post. Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, using the gap left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right side. Her crosses were creating danger and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had several attacks ahead, their direct style giving them choices in the flanks but they could not trouble the City goalkeeper. Manchester City, meanwhile, controlled the ball, taunting their opponents and trying to lure them of their structure.

Goals Galore

They turned chances into goals 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 seventh headed goal of the season.

They increased their lead with two more goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was permitted to drive through the middle from defense, the pitch widened for the hosts. The influential Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the right before sending a accurate driven ball for Bunny Shaw to tap home. A short time later, they had a third after a swift change in the ball saw Lauren Hemp afforded the opportunity to fire a attempt home from distance.

Second Half

The clearest substitution came from the United manager at the interval as Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was ineffective to change the course of the match. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came closest, hitting the post, but the away team were lacking in ideas and did not manage to record a one shot on target.

The home side, meanwhile, could have increased their cushion when a excellent Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it was insignificant to the winning team. Having failed to overcome any side who finished above them in the prior term, Jeglertz’s side now have victories against the Gunners and Manchester United to place them in a commanding standing after nine matches.