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Much like the recent storm swept through the northwest the previous evening, City swept United aside at the their home ground. It was a statement three goal win for the City coach's side thanks to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that truly announced their leadership claims as they reinforced their place at the WSL pinnacle.

Successive Losses for Manchester United

This outcome marked successive WSL setbacks for the United manager's side for the initial occasion since last May, leaving them seven points off the top team with their title hopes hanging by a thread.

The Red Devils' ability to juggle domestic and continental soccer with a small team has been a hotly discussed issue since they secured entry to the Champions League. Looking at the fixture list, it always felt like this was the period that would seriously challenge this ability. Regrettably for the opposition, they appeared tired from start to finish, the landmark win against the French side clearly having left its mark.

Tactical Shifts

Skinner had tried to make changes with a several changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all brought vigor, although the dropping of the on-form Malard to the sidelines was questioned.

Manchester City, in contrast, have no similar loading issues. Andrée Jeglertz made one change from their most recent win over Everton with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since returning from injury.

Overpowering Start

The storm clouds started to gather for Skinner and his side from the first whistle. This was a show of the power from Manchester City whose energetic forward line manipulated and tore United open with a superb opening period showing that saw them score three goals in under half an hour.

This placed City completely dominant and had Manchester United struggling. Prior to this encounter, United had allowed just a handful in this domestic competition but they collapsed in the face of City’s creative prowess.

Opening Threats

The early indicators came early when Vivianne Miedema used her power to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot off target. Hemp was at the heart of everything in the beginning, using the gap left by Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her passes were posing a threat and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had multiple forays ahead, their long-ball tactic giving them alternatives in the wings but they could not test Ayaka Yamashita. City, meanwhile, dominated the ball, taunting their opponents and trying to pull them out of their defensive shape.

Triple Strike

They converted their dominance 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 nod home. It was Manchester City's 7th headed goal of the season.

They increased their advantage with another pair of goals just before the half-time. When Rose was allowed to maraud through the middle from defense, the pitch became spacious for City. The prominent Casparij collected the pass on the wing before delivering a pinpoint ground pass for Shaw to tap home. Shortly later, they had a third goal after a swift change in the ball saw Hemp afforded the room to fire a attempt home from range.

After the Break

The clearest substitution came from the United manager at the half-time as Melvine Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was futile to alter the outcome of the contest. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came nearest, rattling the woodwork, but the away team were offensively poor and did not manage to register a solitary shot on goal.

The home side, meanwhile, could have extended their cushion when a superb Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it mattered little to the winning team. Having failed to beat any team who placed above them last season, the manager's side now have victories against the Gunners and Manchester United to place them in a strong situation after the opening fixtures.