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Just as the recent storm hit the north-west the previous evening, the home side blew Manchester United away at the their home ground. It was a emphatic three-nil win for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that clearly signaled their leadership claims as they consolidated their position at the WSL pinnacle.

Consecutive Defeats for Manchester United

This scoreline signalled consecutive WSL setbacks for Marc Skinner’s side for the maiden instance since last May, putting them a sizable gap off the table toppers with their trophy ambitions in serious doubt.

The Red Devils' ability to balance domestic and continental football with a small roster has been a widely debated topic since they qualified for the European competition. Looking at the schedule, it always felt like this was the week that would truly test this capability. Unfortunately for the visitors, they seemed weary from start to finish, the historic win against the French side clearly having left its mark.

Lineup Adjustments

The United manager had tried to make changes with a handful of adjustments. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all provided vigor, although the dropping of the high-performing Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

The hosts, in opposition, have no similar loading concerns. Andrée Jeglertz made a single alteration from their most recent win over the Toffees with Hemp making her first start since healing from injury.

Commanding Opening Period

The trouble started to accumulate for the United boss and his squad from the opening minute. This was a exhibition of the power from Manchester City whose dynamic forward line controlled and dismantled the opposition with a excellent first half showing that saw them score three goals in just over twenty minutes.

This left the home team firmly in control and had Manchester United disorganized. In advance of this match, the away side had allowed just a handful in this domestic competition but they fell apart in the presence of City’s offensive ingenuity.

Early Chances

The warning signs came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her power to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything early on, exploiting the space left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her passes were causing problems and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had a number of forays forwards, their straightforward approach giving them alternatives in the wide areas but they could not test Yamashita. City, in the meantime, dominated the ball, teasing their rivals and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They turned chances into goals with almost half an hour played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A cross to the back post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's seventh goal from a cross of the term.

They increased their advantage with an additional two goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was allowed to maraud through the center from defense, the play became spacious for City. The key Casparij received possession on the wing before delivering a precise low cross for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. Shortly later, they had a additional score after a quick shift in possession saw Hemp allowed the room to fire a effort home from outside the box.

Second Half

The most obvious change came from Skinner at the interval as Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to change the course of the game. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came most likely to score, hitting the upright, but the visitors were creatively abject and failed to record a one shot on goal.

The home side, on the other hand, could have increased their advantage when a superb Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it mattered little to the hosts. After failing to defeat any team who ended above them in the prior term, the manager's side now have victories against Arsenal and Manchester United to put them in a favorable situation after the opening fixtures.