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Just as the recent storm hit the northern region the prior day, Manchester City swept United away at the their home ground. It was a convincing 3-0 triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a performance that firmly established their title credentials as they consolidated their standing at the WSL pinnacle.

Successive Defeats for United

This scoreline marked back-to-back WSL defeats for Skinner's side for the first time since last May, putting them a significant margin off the top team with their trophy ambitions in serious doubt.

The Red Devils' ability to manage domestic and continental football with a limited roster has been a frequently analyzed subject since they secured entry to the Champions League. Reviewing the fixture list, it always appeared this was the matchday that would seriously challenge this fortitude. Unfortunately for the away side, they looked weary from start to finish, the historic win against the French side clearly having left its mark.

Lineup Adjustments

Skinner had tried to rotate the squad with a a few adjustments. Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all brought energy, although the dropping of the in-form Melvine Malard to the sidelines was questioned.

City, in opposition, have fewer loading concerns. Andrée Jeglertz made one change from their most recent win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her first start since recovering from a fitness issue.

Overpowering Start

The trouble started to build for Skinner and his squad from the first whistle. This was a demonstration of the power from Manchester City whose dynamic offense manipulated and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime first half display that saw them net a trio in under half an hour.

This left the home team in a commanding position and saw the visitors disorganized. Prior to this encounter, the away side had let in just six in this domestic competition but they collapsed in the wake of City’s offensive ingenuity.

Opening Threats

The early indicators came early when Miedema used her physicality to push Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot past the post. Hemp was at the heart of everything from the start, using the space left by Jayde Riviere down United’s wing. Her passes were posing a threat and led to an opportunity for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had a number of sorties forwards, their direct style giving them options in the flanks but they could not trouble Yamashita. Manchester City, meanwhile, dominated the ball, teasing their opponents and trying to lure them of their organization.

Goals Galore

They made their pressure count with almost half an hour played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a corner. A cross to the far post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's 7th goal from a cross of the season.

They extended their lead with another pair of goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was allowed to drive through the middle from the back, the pitch opened up for City. The influential Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the wing before delivering a accurate low cross for Bunny Shaw to force home. A short time later, they had a additional score after a quick shift in the ball saw Lauren Hemp afforded the room to fire a attempt home from range.

After the Break

The primary substitution came from Skinner at the half-time as Melvine Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was too late to change the course of the game. Former City player Park came closest, hitting the woodwork, but the away team were creatively abject and were unable to record a solitary shot on target.

The home side, on the other hand, could have added to their lead when a superb Vivianne Miedema through ball sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the hosts. After failing to defeat any team who finished above them last season, Jeglertz’s side now have successes against the Gunners and Manchester United to put them in a strong situation after nine matches.