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Similar to Storm Claudia swept through the north-west the prior day, the home side overwhelmed the visitors aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement 3-0 win for the City coach's side owing to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a performance that firmly established their championship potential as they strengthened their place at the top of the table.

Back-to-Back Defeats for Manchester United

This outcome represented successive WSL setbacks for Marc Skinner’s side for the first time since last May, leaving them seven points off the league leaders with their championship aspirations severely dented.

The Red Devils' ability to manage domestic and European football with a small team has been a hotly discussed issue since they secured entry to the Champions League. Reviewing the fixture list, it always seemed this was the matchday that would truly test this capability. Unfortunately for the opposition, they seemed tired throughout, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having left its mark.

Tactical Shifts

The United manager had attempted to make changes with a handful of adjustments. Ella Toone, Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all provided energy, although the exclusion of the on-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes raised a few eyebrows.

Manchester City, in opposition, have no similar fitness concerns. Jeglertz made one change from the previous win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her first start since recovering from a physical setback.

Overpowering Start

The storm clouds started to build for Skinner and his squad from the kickoff. This was a exhibition of the quality from City whose potent attack controlled and dismantled the opposition with a sublime first half performance that saw them put three past the keeper in under half an hour.

This put the hosts in a commanding position and saw the visitors all at sea. Before this encounter, the away side had let in just six in this league campaign but they collapsed in the presence of City’s attacking flair.

Initial Opportunities

The warning signs came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Hemp was at the center of everything in the beginning, taking advantage of the room left by Riviere down United’s right flank. Her crosses were posing a threat and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had multiple attacks forwards, their direct style giving them alternatives in the flanks but they could not trouble Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, meanwhile, controlled possession, taunting their opponents and trying to draw them out of their structure.

Triple Strike

They converted their dominance with almost the first period played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A cross to the back post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's seventh headed goal of the campaign.

They added to their cushion with an additional two goals just before the interval. When Rose was permitted to advance through the center from the back, the pitch widened for the hosts. The influential Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right side before providing a pinpoint driven ball for Shaw to tap home. Four minutes later, they had a third goal after a swift change in the ball saw Lauren Hemp allowed the space to strike a effort home from distance.

Second Half

The primary change came from the United manager at the half-time as Melvine Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was ineffective to alter the outcome of the match. Former City player Park came nearest, hitting the upright, but the away team were creatively abject and did not manage to record a solitary shot on goal.

The home side, meanwhile, could have increased their lead when a excellent Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it did not affect the result to the hosts. After failing to beat any side who placed above them last season, City's side now have successes against the Gunners and United to put them in a favorable situation after the opening fixtures.