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Just as bad weather tore through the northwest the previous evening, City overwhelmed United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a emphatic three-nil triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a performance that firmly established their championship potential as they consolidated their standing at the WSL pinnacle.

Back-to-Back Losses for United

This outcome signalled back-to-back league losses for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, placing them seven points off the top team with their title hopes in serious doubt.

Manchester United's ability to juggle domestic and European football with a limited roster has been a widely debated issue since they secured entry to the Champions League. Reviewing the fixture list, it always felt like this was the week that would fully examine this fortitude. Regrettably for the visitors, they appeared tired throughout, the memorable win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having left its mark.

Team Changes

Skinner had tried to rotate the squad with a a few changes. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all provided vigor, although the omission of the in-form Malard to the sidelines raised a few eyebrows.

Manchester City, in contrast, have fewer workload worries. Andrée Jeglertz made a single alteration from last week’s win over Everton with Hemp making her return to the lineup since healing from a physical setback.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to build for the United boss and his squad from the opening minute. This was a show of the power from City whose dynamic forward line manipulated and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime opening period display that saw them put three past the keeper in 21 minutes.

This placed City firmly in control and had Manchester United all at sea. In advance of 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 Vivianne Miedema used her strength to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything early on, taking advantage of the space left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right side. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of forays forward, their direct style giving them choices in the flanks but they could not trouble Yamashita. Manchester City, meanwhile, commanded the ball, teasing their opposition and trying to lure them of their organization.

Scoring Spree

They made their pressure count with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a corner. A delivery to the back post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to head in. It was Manchester City's 7th headed goal of the term.

They increased their lead with two more goals just before the interval. When Rose was allowed to advance through the midfield from defense, the play widened for City. The prominent Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right side before sending a precise driven ball for Bunny Shaw to tap home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a quick turnover in possession saw Hemp afforded the opportunity to drive a shot home from range.

After the Break

The clearest adjustment came from the United manager at the half-time as Melvine Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was ineffective to alter the outcome of the contest. Former City player Park came closest, hitting the woodwork, but the away team were creatively abject and did not manage to register a one shot on goal.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have increased their cushion when a superb Vivianne Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it mattered little to the winning team. Previously unable to beat any opponent who finished above them last season, the manager's side now have successes against Arsenal and Manchester United to place them in a commanding position after the opening fixtures.