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Much like bad weather hit the north-west the prior day, the home side overwhelmed the visitors aside at the Etihad. It was a statement 3-0 triumph for their manager's side owing to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that firmly established their leadership claims as they strengthened their standing at the WSL pinnacle.

Back-to-Back Setbacks for United

This scoreline signalled consecutive WSL losses for Skinner's side for the initial occasion since last May, leaving them a significant margin off the league leaders with their championship aspirations in serious doubt.

United’s capability to balance league and European football with a small squad has been a frequently analyzed subject since they qualified for the Champions League. Looking at the schedule, it always appeared this was the period that would truly test this ability. Regrettably for the visitors, they looked tired all game, the historic win against PSG clearly having had an impact.

Tactical Shifts

Skinner had attempted to freshen things up with a handful of changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all brought freshness, although the exclusion of the high-performing Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

The hosts, in opposition, have no similar fitness issues. Andrée Jeglertz made one change from the previous win over the Toffees with Hemp making her first start since healing from a fitness issue.

Commanding Opening Period

The storm clouds started to build for the United boss and his side from the first whistle. This was a show of the quality from Manchester City whose energetic forward line played with and dismantled the opposition with a sublime initial 45 minutes showing that saw them score three goals in 21 minutes.

This placed City firmly in control and left United disorganized. Before this fixture, United had let in just a handful in this WSL season but they collapsed in the face of City’s creative prowess.

Opening Threats

The omens came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, taking advantage of the room left by Jayde Riviere down United’s wing. Her deliveries were creating danger and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had multiple sorties ahead, their long-ball tactic giving them choices in the wings but they could not trouble Yamashita. City, meanwhile, dominated possession, taunting their rivals and trying to draw them out of their organization.

Goals Galore

They turned chances into goals with almost half an hour played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a corner. A delivery to the far post was directed 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 another pair of goals just before the half-time. When Rose was able to drive through the midfield from defense, the play opened up for the hosts. The influential Casparij received possession on the wing before delivering a accurate low cross for Shaw to tap home. A short time later, they had a additional score after a rapid shift in the ball saw Hemp given the space to fire a shot home from outside the box.

Second Half

The most obvious adjustment came from Skinner at the interval as Malard came on for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to shift the momentum of the game. Ex- City player Jess Park came closest, striking the post, but the away team were lacking in ideas and were unable to register a one shot on goal.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have extended their lead when a delightful Vivianne Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it did not affect the result to the hosts. Having failed to defeat any side who finished above them the previous campaign, the manager's side now have victories against Arsenal and Manchester United to put them in a favorable position after the opening fixtures.