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Similar to Storm Claudia swept through the northwest the prior day, the home side swept Manchester United away at the Etihad. It was a statement three goal triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that clearly signaled their title credentials as they reinforced their standing at the league summit.

Back-to-Back Losses for United

This outcome represented back-to-back Women's Super League defeats for the United manager's side for the initial occasion since last May, placing them a sizable gap off the league leaders with their championship aspirations severely dented.

United’s capacity to manage domestic and continental football with a thin squad has been a hotly discussed topic since they earned a place in the European competition. Reviewing the fixture list, it always felt like this was the week that would seriously challenge this fortitude. Regrettably for the visitors, they seemed tired from start to finish, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having had an impact.

Team Changes

Marc Skinner had tried to make changes with a a few alterations. Ella Toone, Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all brought energy, although the dropping of the on-form Malard to the substitutes was questioned.

The hosts, in opposition, have no similar fitness worries. The City coach made a single alteration from last week’s win over Everton with Hemp making her first start since returning from a physical setback.

Dominant First Half

The pressure started to gather for Skinner and his team from the kickoff. This was a show of the power from Manchester City whose dynamic offense manipulated and dismantled the opposition with a sublime opening period display that saw them score three goals in 21 minutes.

This placed City firmly in control and saw the visitors struggling. Prior to this fixture, the away side had allowed just few in this league campaign but they disintegrated in the face of the hosts' creative prowess.

Initial Opportunities

The warning signs came soon when Miedema used her physicality to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot past the post. Hemp was at the center of everything early on, using the gap left by Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her crosses were posing a threat and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of attacks ahead, their straightforward approach giving them choices in the wings but they could not test the City goalkeeper. City, on the other hand, controlled the ball, probing their opposition and trying to draw them out of their organization.

Triple Strike

They made their pressure count with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A ball to the back post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Knaak to head in. It was City’s 7th headed goal of the season.

They increased their lead with another pair of goals just before the half-time. When Rose was permitted to maraud through the middle from defense, the pitch became spacious for City. The influential Casparij picked the ball up on the wing before delivering a precise driven ball for Shaw to tap home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a quick shift in possession saw Hemp allowed the space to strike a shot home from outside the box.

Second Half

The most obvious change came from the United manager at the break as Melvine Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was ineffective to change the course of the contest. Former City player Park came nearest, rattling the upright, but the away team were lacking in ideas and did not manage to record a one shot on target.

The hosts, in contrast, could have increased their lead when a excellent Miedema pass sent Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it did not affect the result to the hosts. Having failed to beat any side who ended above them last season, City's side now have wins against Arsenal and Manchester United to position them in a strong position after nine games.