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Just as bad weather hit the northwest the night before, Manchester City overwhelmed Manchester United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a convincing three goal victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that clearly signaled their championship potential as they strengthened their position at the top of the table.

Back-to-Back Losses for United

This scoreline marked consecutive league setbacks for Marc Skinner’s side for the initial occasion since last May, leaving them a significant margin off the table toppers with their championship aspirations severely dented.

The Red Devils' ability to manage league and European soccer with a small squad has been a frequently analyzed subject since they secured entry to the European competition. Reviewing the calendar, it always felt like this was the week that would seriously challenge this capability. Regrettably for the opposition, they looked fatigued from start to finish, the historic win against PSG clearly having left its mark.

Team Changes

Marc Skinner had sought to freshen things up with a handful of changes. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all added energy, although the omission of the in-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

Manchester City, in opposition, have no such loading worries. Jeglertz made a single alteration from last week’s win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her initial starting appearance since healing from a physical setback.

Commanding Opening Period

The trouble started to gather for Skinner and his side from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the strength from Manchester City whose potent offense controlled and tore United open with a excellent opening period performance that saw them score three goals in just over twenty minutes.

This left the home team firmly in control and saw the visitors all at sea. In advance of this encounter, the away side had allowed just few in this WSL season but they fell apart in the presence of Manchester City's attacking flair.

Opening Threats

The early indicators came early when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything from the start, exploiting the gap left by Riviere down United’s wing. Her deliveries were creating danger and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had multiple attacks forwards, their long-ball tactic giving them options in the flanks but they could not trouble the City goalkeeper. Manchester City, in the meantime, commanded the ball, probing their opposition and trying to draw them out of their organization.

Triple Strike

They made their pressure count with almost thirty minutes played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A delivery to the far post was headed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's seventh goal from a cross of the campaign.

They extended their lead with two more goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was permitted to drive through the center from the back, the play opened up for City. The prominent Casparij received possession on the wing before providing a accurate driven ball for Shaw to force home. A short time later, they had a additional score after a quick shift in the ball saw Hemp given the opportunity to drive a shot home from outside the box.

Final Period

The primary adjustment came from the United manager at the break as Melvine Malard came on for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to shift the momentum of the game. Ex- Manchester City player Jess Park came nearest, hitting the upright, but the visitors were offensively poor and did not manage to produce a single shot on target.

The home side, meanwhile, could have added to their lead when a excellent Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it did not affect the result to the hosts. Previously unable to defeat any side who placed above them last season, City's side now have wins against Arsenal and United to position them in a commanding position after nine games.