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Much like the recent storm hit the northern region the night before, City blew Manchester United away at the Etihad. It was a statement three goal victory for their manager's side due to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that truly announced their championship potential as they consolidated their place at the top of the table.

Consecutive Defeats for United

This outcome represented consecutive Women's Super League setbacks for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, putting them a significant margin off the table toppers with their championship aspirations severely dented.

United’s capability to manage league and continental football with a small squad has been a hotly discussed topic since they secured entry to the European competition. Reviewing the schedule, it always seemed this was the matchday that would fully examine this capability. Unfortunately for the visitors, they looked weary throughout, the landmark win against PSG clearly having left its mark.

Lineup Adjustments

The United manager had sought to freshen things up with a handful of alterations. Ella Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all provided energy, although the omission of the high-performing Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

Manchester City, in contrast, have no such loading concerns. The City coach made one change from last week’s win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since healing from a physical setback.

Dominant First Half

The storm clouds started to accumulate for the United boss and his side from the opening minute. This was a exhibition of the strength from City whose dynamic forward line controlled and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime first half performance that saw them put three past the keeper in 21 minutes.

This put the hosts firmly in control and saw the visitors struggling. Prior to this encounter, United had let in just few in this league campaign but they disintegrated in the face of the hosts' creative prowess.

Early Chances

The omens came early when Miedema used her strength to push Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot off target. Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, exploiting the gap left by Riviere down United’s wing. Her passes were creating danger and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had several sorties forward, their straightforward approach giving them choices in the wide areas but they could not trouble the City goalkeeper. City, meanwhile, controlled possession, teasing their rivals and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They made their pressure count with almost half an hour played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a corner. A cross to the far post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was Manchester City's 7th headed goal of the campaign.

They added to their lead with two more goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was allowed to drive through the center from defense, the pitch became spacious for City. The influential Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the wing before delivering a pinpoint ground pass for Bunny Shaw to tap home. Four minutes later, they had a third after a swift shift in possession saw Lauren Hemp afforded the room to drive a effort home from range.

After the Break

The primary substitution came from Skinner at the interval as Malard came on for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to change the course of the match. Ex- Manchester City player Jess Park came nearest, rattling the post, but the away team were creatively abject and were unable to register a solitary shot on target.

The home side, in contrast, could have extended their advantage when a excellent Vivianne Miedema pass sent Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it was insignificant to the winning team. Previously unable to defeat any team who ended above them the previous campaign, City's side now have successes against Arsenal and United to place them in a favorable standing after nine matches.