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Just as the recent storm tore through the northern region the night before, Manchester City swept Manchester United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement 3-0 victory for their manager's side thanks to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a performance that clearly signaled their leadership claims as they strengthened their standing at the WSL pinnacle.

Consecutive Defeats for United

This outcome signalled consecutive WSL losses for Marc Skinner’s side for the first time since last May, leaving them a sizable gap off the table toppers with their championship aspirations severely dented.

Manchester United's capability to balance league and continental soccer with a thin team has been a widely debated subject since they secured entry to the Champions League. Looking at the calendar, it always appeared this was the week that would seriously challenge this capability. Sadly for the away side, they seemed tired throughout, the historic win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having had an impact.

Tactical Shifts

Marc Skinner had attempted to freshen things up with a a few changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all added freshness, although the dropping of the on-form Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

The hosts, in comparison, have no similar workload issues. The City coach 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.

Overpowering Start

The trouble started to gather for Skinner and his team from the kickoff. This was a demonstration of the quality from Manchester City whose energetic attack manipulated and tore United open with a excellent opening period display that saw them put three past the keeper in 21 minutes.

This put the hosts in a commanding position and had Manchester United struggling. Prior to this encounter, United had allowed just few in this WSL season but they disintegrated in the wake of Manchester City's offensive ingenuity.

Early Chances

The early indicators came quickly when Miedema used her power to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything in the beginning, exploiting the space left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right flank. Her deliveries were posing a threat and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg kicked off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of forays ahead, their direct style giving them choices in the wide areas but they could not test the City goalkeeper. City, in the meantime, commanded the ball, teasing their rivals and trying to lure them of their structure.

Goals Galore

They turned chances into goals with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A ball to the far post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's seventh header of the season.

They added to their advantage with two more goals just before the interval. When Rose was permitted to drive through the center from defense, the field became spacious for City. The prominent Casparij received possession on the wing before providing a accurate driven ball for Bunny Shaw to tap home. A short time later, they had a additional score after a quick change in possession saw Lauren Hemp allowed the room to drive a attempt home from range.

Second Half

The most obvious adjustment came from the United manager at the break as Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was ineffective to change the course of the match. Ex- City player Jess Park came most likely to score, striking the woodwork, but the away team were creatively abject and did not manage to record a one shot on target.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have extended their lead when a delightful Vivianne Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it did not affect the result to the hosts. After failing to defeat any side who placed above them the previous campaign, City's side now have victories against the Gunners and Manchester United to position them in a commanding position after nine matches.