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Similar to Storm Claudia swept through the northwest the previous evening, the home side swept the visitors aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement 3-0 win for the City coach's side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that clearly signaled their championship potential as they reinforced their standing at the WSL pinnacle.

Consecutive Setbacks for United

This outcome signalled consecutive Women's Super League setbacks for Marc Skinner’s side for the maiden instance since last May, placing them a sizable gap off the table toppers with their championship aspirations in serious doubt.

United’s ability to juggle domestic and continental soccer with a small squad has been a frequently analyzed topic since they qualified for the Champions League. Considering the calendar, it always seemed this was the week that would seriously challenge this capability. Sadly for the opposition, they seemed fatigued throughout, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having left its mark.

Tactical Shifts

Marc Skinner had attempted to freshen things up with a several changes. Ella Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all added freshness, although the dropping of the high-performing Melvine Malard to the bench caused surprise.

City, in opposition, have fewer fitness worries. Andrée Jeglertz made one change from their most recent win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her initial starting appearance since recovering from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The storm clouds started to build for Skinner and his squad from the kickoff. This was a demonstration of the quality from City whose potent attack manipulated and pulled the visitors apart with a superb first half display that saw them put three past the keeper in 21 minutes.

This left the home team completely dominant and had Manchester United struggling. Before this match, United had let in just six in this WSL season but they collapsed in the wake of City’s offensive ingenuity.

Early Chances

The warning signs came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot off target. Hemp was at the core of everything from the start, exploiting the space left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' right side. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had multiple sorties ahead, their long-ball tactic giving them choices in the wide areas but they could not challenge the City goalkeeper. Manchester City, on the other hand, dominated the ball, taunting their opponents and trying to pull them out of their structure.

Scoring Spree

They converted their dominance with almost thirty minutes played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a corner. A delivery to the far post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was City’s 7th headed goal of the season.

They increased their advantage with an additional two goals just before the half-time. When Jade Rose was allowed to maraud through the midfield from the back, the field became spacious for the hosts. The key Kerstin Casparij received possession on the wing before providing a pinpoint low cross for Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a quick turnover in the ball saw Lauren Hemp afforded the room to drive a attempt home from range.

Final Period

The clearest change came from Skinner at the break as Melvine Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to change the course of the match. Former Manchester City player Park came nearest, striking the upright, but the away team were creatively abject and did not manage to record a one shot on goal.

The home side, in contrast, could have extended their lead when a delightful Vivianne Miedema through ball sent Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it did not affect the result to the hosts. Previously unable to overcome any team who ended above them last season, the manager's side now have successes against the Gunners and United to place them in a commanding position after the opening fixtures.