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Just as Storm Claudia swept through the north-west the previous evening, City blew United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement three-nil victory for the City coach's side thanks to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a performance that truly announced their leadership claims as they reinforced their position at the top of the table.

Consecutive Losses for United

This scoreline represented back-to-back WSL setbacks for Skinner's side for the maiden instance since last May, putting them a significant margin off the table toppers with their title hopes in serious doubt.

United’s ability to manage domestic and continental football with a thin roster has been a widely debated subject since they secured entry to the European competition. Looking at the schedule, it always appeared this was the week that would seriously challenge this ability. Sadly for the visitors, they appeared fatigued from start to finish, the memorable win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having taken a toll.

Lineup Adjustments

Skinner had attempted to freshen things up with a several alterations. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Galton all added freshness, although the dropping of the in-form Malard to the bench was questioned.

The hosts, in opposition, have fewer fitness concerns. The City coach made one adjustment from last week’s win over the Toffees with Hemp making her return to the lineup since healing from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The pressure started to accumulate for Skinner and his side from the opening minute. This was a show of the quality from City whose potent attack played with and dismantled the opposition with a sublime initial 45 minutes display that saw them score three goals in under half an hour.

This placed City in a commanding position and saw the visitors disorganized. Prior to this fixture, the away side had allowed just a handful in this WSL season but they fell apart in the face of Manchester City's offensive ingenuity.

Initial Opportunities

The early indicators came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything in the beginning, taking advantage of the gap left by Riviere down United’s wing. Her passes were posing a threat and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had multiple sorties forward, their direct style giving them choices in the wings but they could not trouble the City goalkeeper. City, on the other hand, commanded the ball, taunting their opponents and trying to draw them out of their defensive shape.

Scoring Spree

They made their pressure count 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 Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was City’s seventh header of the campaign.

They extended their lead with two more goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was permitted to maraud through the middle from central defence, the field became spacious for City. The key Casparij collected the pass on the right before delivering a accurate ground pass for Shaw to force home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a swift turnover in possession saw Lauren Hemp given the space to drive a attempt home from range.

Final Period

The clearest change came from Skinner at the interval as Malard was introduced for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the game. Ex- City player Jess Park came most likely to score, rattling the woodwork, but the away team were lacking in ideas and did not manage to register a one shot on goal.

The home side, meanwhile, could have extended their advantage when a excellent Miedema pass sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it mattered little to the winning team. Previously unable to overcome any opponent who finished above them in the prior term, Jeglertz’s side now have wins against the Gunners and United to place them in a strong situation after nine games.