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Much like Storm Claudia tore through the northwest the night before, Manchester City blew United away at the their home ground. It was a statement three-nil triumph for the City coach's side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that truly announced their title credentials as they reinforced their position at the WSL pinnacle.

Successive Defeats for Manchester United

This scoreline represented back-to-back league losses for Skinner's side for the first time since last May, placing them a significant margin off the top team with their trophy ambitions severely dented.

The Red Devils' capability to manage league and continental soccer with a small squad has been a hotly discussed issue since they earned a place in the UCL. Considering the fixture list, it always seemed this was the matchday that would seriously challenge this fortitude. Unfortunately for the visitors, they appeared tired from start to finish, the historic win against the French side clearly having left its mark.

Team Changes

Marc Skinner had attempted to rotate the squad with a a few changes. Ella Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all brought vigor, although the omission of the on-form Malard to the bench caused surprise.

The hosts, in opposition, have no such loading concerns. Jeglertz made one adjustment from the previous win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since healing from injury.

Overpowering Start

The storm clouds started to gather for Skinner and his squad from the kickoff. This was a demonstration of the quality from City whose energetic offense controlled and tore United open with a superb first half display that saw them put three past the keeper in under half an hour.

This put the hosts in a commanding position and left United disorganized. In advance of this encounter, the away side had conceded just a handful in this domestic competition but they collapsed in the face of Manchester City's offensive ingenuity.

Early Chances

The omens came early when Vivianne Miedema used her power to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot off target. Hemp was at the center of everything early on, taking advantage of the space left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right flank. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had several forays ahead, their direct style giving them alternatives in the wings but they could not challenge Yamashita. Manchester City, on the other hand, dominated the ball, taunting their opposition and trying to draw them out of their organization.

Goals Galore

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

They increased their lead with another pair of goals just before the interval. When Rose was allowed to advance through the middle from defense, the field opened up for City. The key Casparij received possession on the right side before sending a pinpoint driven ball for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. Four minutes later, they had a third after a swift turnover in possession saw Lauren Hemp allowed the room to fire a attempt home from distance.

After the Break

The most obvious change came from Skinner at the break as Melvine Malard was introduced for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to change the course of the contest. Ex- Manchester City player Jess Park came closest, striking the woodwork, but the visitors were offensively poor and failed to produce a solitary shot on goal.

The home side, meanwhile, could have extended their cushion when a superb Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it mattered little to the winning team. Previously unable to defeat any side who finished above them last season, Jeglertz’s side now have wins against the Gunners and Manchester United to place them in a commanding standing after the opening fixtures.