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Just as the recent storm hit the northern region the prior day, the home side blew United away at the their home ground. It was a convincing 3-0 triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that clearly signaled their championship potential as they strengthened their position at the league summit.

Successive Losses for United

This outcome marked successive league losses for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, putting them a sizable gap off the league leaders with their trophy ambitions hanging by a thread.

Manchester United's capability to juggle domestic and continental football with a limited roster has been a hotly discussed topic since they secured entry to the Champions League. Reviewing the calendar, it always seemed this was the week that would truly test this fortitude. Regrettably for the away side, they seemed weary all game, the landmark win against the French side clearly having had an impact.

Tactical Shifts

Skinner had sought to freshen things up with a handful of adjustments. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all added energy, although the exclusion of the in-form Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

Manchester City, in opposition, have no such fitness concerns. Andrée Jeglertz made one change from last week’s win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her initial starting appearance since healing from injury.

Commanding Opening Period

The trouble started to build for the United boss and his team from the first whistle. This was a show of the strength from City whose dynamic forward line manipulated and pulled the visitors apart with a excellent first half display that saw them net a trio in under half an hour.

This put the hosts in a commanding position and left United disorganized. Prior to this match, the away side had allowed just six in this WSL season but they disintegrated in the face of Manchester City's creative prowess.

Early Chances

The early indicators came early when Miedema used her strength to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot wide. Hemp was at the heart of everything in the beginning, taking advantage of the gap left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her passes were posing a threat and led to an attempt for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had multiple sorties ahead, their long-ball tactic giving them options in the wings but they could not trouble Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, on the other hand, commanded the ball, teasing their rivals and trying to pull them out of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They converted their dominance with almost thirty minutes played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A cross to the back post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to head in. It was City’s 7th goal from a cross of the term.

They added to their advantage with two more goals just before the break. When Rose was able to maraud through the middle from central defence, the field widened for City. The prominent Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right before providing a pinpoint low cross for Bunny Shaw to force home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a swift change in the ball saw Lauren Hemp allowed the opportunity to fire a effort home from distance.

Final Period

The primary adjustment came from Skinner at the half-time as Melvine Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was ineffective to shift the momentum of the contest. Former Manchester City player Park came nearest, hitting the woodwork, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and failed to record a one shot on goal.

The home side, in contrast, could have extended their lead when a excellent Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the hosts. Having failed to beat any team who placed above them last season, Jeglertz’s side now have victories against Arsenal and Manchester United to place them in a commanding situation after the opening fixtures.