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Just as bad weather tore through the north-west the previous evening, Manchester City overwhelmed United aside at the their home ground. It was a statement three-nil victory for the City coach's side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that clearly signaled their leadership claims as they strengthened their place at the league summit.

Back-to-Back Losses for United

This result signalled consecutive league setbacks for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, placing them seven points off the top team with their championship aspirations severely dented.

The Red Devils' capability to manage domestic and continental football with a limited squad has been a hotly discussed subject since they secured entry to the Champions League. Reviewing the calendar, it always seemed this was the period that would truly test this ability. Sadly for the opposition, they looked fatigued from start to finish, the historic win against the French side clearly having had an impact.

Team Changes

Marc Skinner had attempted to make changes with a several changes. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all provided energy, although the exclusion of the high-performing Malard to the bench was questioned.

The hosts, in comparison, have fewer loading concerns. The City coach made one adjustment from the previous win over Everton with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since recovering from a fitness issue.

Commanding Opening Period

The storm clouds started to build for Skinner and his side from the opening minute. This was a exhibition of the power from Manchester City whose energetic attack controlled and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime initial 45 minutes performance that saw them net a trio in 21 minutes.

This placed City completely dominant and saw the visitors struggling. Prior to this match, the away side had allowed just six in this WSL season but they fell apart in the presence of Manchester City's attacking flair.

Initial Opportunities

The early indicators came soon when Miedema used her strength to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot wide. Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, taking advantage of the gap left by Riviere down the visitors' right side. Her passes were posing a threat and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had a number of forays ahead, their direct style giving them choices in the wide areas but they could not challenge Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, on the other hand, commanded the ball, probing their rivals and trying to lure them of their organization.

Goals Galore

They turned chances into goals with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A delivery to the far post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to score. It was City’s seventh header of the season.

They extended their cushion with another pair of goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was able to drive through the center from defense, the field opened up for the hosts. The influential Casparij picked the ball up on the right side before sending a pinpoint driven ball for Shaw to bundle home. Four minutes later, they had a additional score after a quick turnover in the ball saw Lauren Hemp allowed the opportunity to fire a effort home from distance.

Final Period

The clearest change came from Skinner at the half-time as Melvine Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was futile to alter the outcome of the contest. Ex- City player Jess Park came most likely to score, rattling the post, but the visitors were offensively poor and failed to record a solitary shot on target.

The home side, on the other hand, could have extended their cushion when a delightful Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the hosts. Having failed to defeat any opponent who finished above them the previous campaign, the manager's side now have wins against Arsenal and United to put them in a commanding standing after nine matches.