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Much like bad weather hit the northwest the previous evening, City overwhelmed Manchester United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a emphatic 3-0 win for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that clearly signaled their title credentials as they strengthened their standing at the top of the table.

Consecutive Losses for Manchester United

This scoreline marked consecutive Women's Super League losses for Marc Skinner’s side for the first time since last May, placing them a sizable gap off the table toppers with their title hopes severely dented.

United’s ability to juggle domestic and continental soccer with a small roster has been a widely debated issue since they qualified for the Champions League. Looking at the fixture list, it always felt like this was the period that would truly test this capability. Sadly for the visitors, they looked tired from start to finish, the memorable win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having left its mark.

Lineup Adjustments

The United manager had tried to rotate the squad with a several alterations. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all brought vigor, although the exclusion of the in-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes was questioned.

The hosts, in comparison, have no such fitness issues. Andrée Jeglertz made a single alteration from the previous win over Everton with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since returning from injury.

Overpowering Start

The trouble started to build for the United boss and his side from the kickoff. This was a exhibition of the strength from Manchester City whose potent forward line controlled and tore United open with a excellent initial 45 minutes display that saw them net a trio in 21 minutes.

This placed City completely dominant and left United disorganized. In advance of this match, the away side had conceded just six in this league campaign but they fell apart in the presence of Manchester City's offensive ingenuity.

Opening Threats

The warning signs came soon when Miedema used her power to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything in the beginning, using the gap left by Riviere down United’s wing. Her crosses were creating danger and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had a number of forays ahead, their long-ball tactic giving them choices in the flanks but they could not challenge the City goalkeeper. Manchester City, meanwhile, dominated possession, probing their opposition and trying to lure them of their structure.

Goals Galore

They turned chances into goals with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A cross to the far post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was Manchester City's seventh header of the season.

They added to their cushion with two more goals just before the interval. When Rose was able to maraud through the midfield from the back, the pitch widened for City. The prominent Casparij received possession on the wing before delivering a pinpoint low cross for Bunny Shaw to tap home. Shortly later, they had a third goal after a quick turnover in the ball saw Lauren Hemp afforded the opportunity to fire a shot home from distance.

Second Half

The clearest substitution came from Skinner at the half-time as Melvine Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was futile to alter the outcome of the contest. Former City player Park came most likely to score, rattling the upright, but the away team were offensively poor and were unable to record a solitary shot on goal.

The hosts, on the other hand, could have added to their advantage when a excellent Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the winning team. Previously unable to beat any team who finished above them last season, Jeglertz’s side now have wins against the Gunners and Manchester United to position them in a strong situation after nine games.