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Similar to bad weather tore through the north-west the previous evening, City swept Manchester United aside at the Etihad. It was a statement 3-0 victory for their manager's side thanks to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that firmly established their title credentials as they reinforced their position at the top of the table.

Back-to-Back Losses for United

This outcome marked successive WSL losses for the United manager's side for the initial occasion since last May, putting them a significant margin off the table toppers with their title hopes severely dented.

United’s capacity to juggle league and continental football with a limited roster has been a frequently analyzed subject since they secured entry to the UCL. Reviewing the calendar, it always seemed this was the week that would truly test this capability. Regrettably for the opposition, they looked tired all game, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having taken a toll.

Tactical Shifts

The United manager had tried to freshen things up with a several adjustments. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all brought energy, although the exclusion of the in-form Melvine Malard to the bench caused surprise.

Manchester City, in opposition, have no such fitness worries. The City coach made a single alteration from the previous win over the Toffees with Hemp making her first start since healing from a physical setback.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to build for the United boss and his squad from the kickoff. This was a show of the strength from Manchester City whose energetic offense controlled and tore United open with a sublime first half display that saw them put three past the keeper in under half an hour.

This put the hosts completely dominant and had Manchester United all at sea. In advance of this fixture, the away side had conceded just six in this league campaign but they fell apart in the wake of City’s creative prowess.

Early Chances

The early indicators came early when Miedema used her strength to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything in the beginning, taking advantage of the space left by Riviere down United’s right side. Her deliveries were posing a threat and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of sorties forwards, their long-ball tactic giving them choices in the flanks but they could not test Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, on the other hand, dominated the ball, teasing their rivals and trying to pull them out of their organization.

Triple Strike

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

They added to their lead with an additional two goals just before the interval. When Rose was permitted to drive through the center from central defence, the play opened up for City. The key Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the wing before delivering a precise driven ball for Shaw to tap home. A short time later, they had a third after a rapid change in possession saw Hemp afforded the opportunity to fire a attempt home from outside the box.

After the Break

The clearest change came from the United manager at the half-time as Melvine Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to alter the outcome of the game. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came most likely to score, striking the woodwork, but the away team were lacking in ideas and did not manage to record a single shot on goal.

The home side, on the other hand, could have extended their cushion when a superb Miedema through ball sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it mattered little to the winning team. Having failed to overcome any side who placed above them the previous campaign, the manager's side now have wins against Arsenal and United to put them in a strong position after nine games.