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Just as the recent storm hit the north-west the previous evening, the home side blew Manchester United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a emphatic 3-0 triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that clearly signaled their leadership claims as they reinforced their place at the top of the table.

Consecutive Losses for United

This result signalled successive Women's Super League defeats for Marc Skinner’s side for the first time since last May, leaving them a significant margin off the top team with their trophy ambitions in serious doubt.

The Red Devils' ability to balance domestic and European football with a thin roster has been a widely debated topic since they qualified for the Champions League. Reviewing the schedule, it always appeared this was the period that would fully examine this ability. Unfortunately for the visitors, they looked tired throughout, the landmark win against PSG clearly having left its mark.

Lineup Adjustments

Marc Skinner had tried to make changes with a a few changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all provided vigor, although the omission of the high-performing Malard to the substitutes was questioned.

Manchester City, in opposition, have no such workload concerns. The City coach made one adjustment from last week’s win over Everton with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since healing from injury.

Commanding Opening Period

The pressure started to build for the United boss and his squad from the kickoff. This was a exhibition of the quality from City whose energetic forward line manipulated and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime initial 45 minutes performance that saw them put three past the keeper in under half an hour.

This put the hosts completely dominant and saw the visitors all at sea. Before this encounter, the away side had let in just few in this WSL season but they collapsed in the face of the hosts' creative prowess.

Initial Opportunities

The early indicators came quickly when Miedema used her physicality to push Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot wide. Hemp was at the center of everything in the beginning, taking advantage of the room left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had a number of attacks ahead, their direct style giving them alternatives in the wings but they could not challenge Yamashita. Manchester City, meanwhile, commanded the ball, taunting their opponents and trying to lure them of their structure.

Scoring Spree

They turned chances into goals with almost the first period played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A delivery to the back post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was City’s seventh goal from a cross of the campaign.

They extended their cushion with another pair of goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was permitted to maraud through the middle from defense, the pitch became spacious for City. The key Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right side before sending a accurate driven ball for Bunny Shaw to force home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a quick shift in the ball saw Hemp given the opportunity to fire a attempt home from range.

Final Period

The clearest change came from the United manager at the interval as Melvine Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the match. Former Manchester City player Park came most likely to score, rattling the woodwork, but the visitors were creatively abject and were unable to record a one shot on target.

The hosts, in contrast, could have extended their advantage when a superb Vivianne Miedema long ball sent 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 opponent who finished above them last season, the manager's side now have victories against the Gunners and United to put them in a favorable position after nine games.