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Similar to the recent storm hit the north-west the prior day, the home side swept the visitors away at the Etihad. It was a convincing three-nil win for their manager's side thanks to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a performance that truly announced their championship potential as they strengthened their position at the top of the table.

Successive Defeats for United

This result represented back-to-back WSL losses for Marc Skinner’s side for the initial occasion since last May, placing them a sizable gap off the league leaders with their trophy ambitions severely dented.

Manchester United's capability to balance domestic and European soccer with a limited roster has been a hotly discussed subject since they qualified for the European competition. Reviewing the schedule, it always appeared this was the period that would seriously challenge this capability. Regrettably for the away side, they seemed weary all game, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having taken a toll.

Team Changes

The United manager had tried to freshen things up with a several alterations. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all brought energy, although the exclusion of the in-form Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

The hosts, in opposition, have no such workload worries. Jeglertz made a single alteration from last week’s win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since healing from injury.

Dominant First Half

The trouble started to accumulate for Skinner and his squad from the opening minute. This was a exhibition of the quality from Manchester City whose energetic attack manipulated and tore United open with a excellent first half showing that saw them score three goals in under half an hour.

This left the home team in a commanding position and saw the visitors all at sea. In advance of this encounter, the away side had let in just a handful in this domestic competition but they collapsed in the wake of City’s offensive ingenuity.

Early Chances

The early indicators came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot wide. Hemp was at the core of everything from the start, exploiting the gap left by Riviere down United’s right side. Her passes were causing problems and led to an attempt for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg kicked off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of sorties forward, their straightforward approach giving them alternatives in the wide areas but they could not trouble the City goalkeeper. City, in the meantime, controlled possession, teasing their opponents and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Triple Strike

They made their pressure count with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the hosts a corner. A delivery to the far post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's 7th goal from a cross of the season.

They extended their cushion with another pair of goals just before the break. When Rose was allowed to maraud through the midfield from the back, the field opened up for the hosts. The key Casparij picked the ball up on the right before providing a pinpoint low cross for Bunny Shaw to tap home. Shortly later, they had a third after a rapid change in possession saw Hemp given the space to drive a attempt home from outside the box.

Final Period

The most obvious substitution came from Skinner at the half-time as Malard came on for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to change the course of the match. Former Manchester City player Park came most likely to score, rattling the upright, but the away team were offensively poor and failed to produce a one shot on target.

The home side, on the other hand, could have added to their lead when a superb Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it was insignificant to the hosts. After failing to beat any side who finished above them in the prior term, City's side now have victories against Arsenal and Manchester United to put them in a commanding situation after the opening fixtures.