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Much like bad weather swept through the north-west the previous evening, City blew United away at the their home ground. It was a statement three goal triumph for their manager's side due to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that clearly signaled their championship potential as they reinforced their place at the league summit.

Back-to-Back Defeats for Manchester United

This scoreline marked back-to-back Women's Super League defeats for Marc Skinner’s side for the first time since last May, leaving them seven points off the league leaders with their title hopes in serious doubt.

The Red Devils' ability to balance league and European football with a small squad has been a hotly discussed topic since they earned a place in the European competition. Reviewing the calendar, it always appeared this was the week that would seriously challenge this fortitude. Sadly for the opposition, they appeared tired all game, the historic win against the French side clearly having left its mark.

Lineup Adjustments

Skinner had tried to freshen things up with a handful of alterations. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all brought freshness, although the exclusion of the in-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes was questioned.

City, in opposition, have no similar fitness worries. Jeglertz made a single alteration from last week’s win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her initial starting appearance since recovering from injury.

Commanding Opening Period

The pressure started to gather for Skinner and his team from the opening minute. This was a show of the quality from Manchester City whose energetic attack played with and dismantled the opposition with a excellent first half performance that saw them put three past the keeper in 21 minutes.

This left the home team in a commanding position and saw the visitors struggling. Prior to this fixture, the away side had let in just few in this league campaign but they fell apart in the wake of City’s attacking flair.

Early Chances

The warning signs came early when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything in the beginning, exploiting the gap left by Riviere down United’s right flank. Her passes were causing problems and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had multiple forays ahead, their direct style giving them alternatives in the wings but they could not challenge Yamashita. Manchester City, meanwhile, controlled the ball, teasing their opposition and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Scoring Spree

They converted their dominance with almost half an hour played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A cross to the far post was headed across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was Manchester City's 7th header of the season.

They increased their lead with two more goals just before the interval. When Rose was allowed to maraud through the midfield from defense, the pitch became spacious for the hosts. The key Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right before sending a pinpoint ground pass for Shaw to force home. Shortly later, they had a third goal after a swift shift in the ball saw Hemp afforded the opportunity to strike a effort home from range.

Final Period

The clearest change came from Skinner at the interval as Melvine Malard was introduced for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to alter the outcome of the match. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came most likely to score, hitting the woodwork, but the away team were lacking in ideas and failed to register a single shot on target.

The hosts, in contrast, could have increased their advantage when a excellent Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it was insignificant to the winning team. Having failed to defeat any team who finished above them in the prior term, City's side now have wins against Arsenal and United to position them in a strong situation after the opening fixtures.