The Citizens Three-Nil Man United: Lauren Hemp on target in City stroll.

Much like the recent storm hit the northern region the previous evening, Manchester City swept United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a emphatic three-nil triumph for the City coach's side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that firmly established their championship potential as they reinforced their standing at the WSL pinnacle.

Consecutive Losses for United

This outcome signalled successive Women's Super League losses for the United manager's side for the initial occasion since last May, putting them a significant margin off the table toppers with their trophy ambitions hanging by a thread.

United’s capability to balance domestic and continental football with a thin roster has been a frequently analyzed subject since they qualified for the Champions League. Considering the fixture list, it always appeared this was the week that would fully examine this fortitude. Regrettably for the visitors, they appeared tired from start to finish, the memorable win against PSG clearly having taken a toll.

Team Changes

Marc Skinner had tried to freshen things up with a handful of alterations. Ella Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all provided vigor, although the dropping of the high-performing Melvine Malard to the bench was questioned.

The hosts, in comparison, have fewer loading concerns. The City coach made a single alteration from the previous win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her first start since healing from injury.

Overpowering Start

The storm clouds started to gather for Skinner and his squad from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the strength from City whose energetic forward line played with and tore United open with a sublime initial 45 minutes display that saw them put three past the keeper in just over twenty minutes.

This placed City completely dominant and had Manchester United struggling. Prior to this encounter, the away side had conceded just few in this league campaign but they disintegrated in the face of Manchester City's attacking flair.

Opening Threats

The warning signs came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her power to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot wide. Hemp was at the heart of everything in the beginning, taking advantage of the gap left by Riviere down United’s right flank. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had a number of sorties forward, their long-ball tactic giving them choices in the wide areas but they could not trouble the City goalkeeper. Manchester City, in the meantime, commanded the ball, taunting their opponents and trying to pull them out of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They turned chances into goals with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the home team a corner. A cross to the back post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to score. It was City’s 7th headed goal of the term.

They added to their cushion with an additional two goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was permitted to drive through the center from central defence, the pitch opened up for City. The key Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the right before sending a accurate low cross for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a third after a rapid shift in the ball saw Lauren Hemp allowed the opportunity to strike a attempt home from range.

After the Break

The primary substitution came from Skinner at the break as Melvine Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was too late to shift the momentum of the game. Former Manchester City player Park came most likely to score, hitting the woodwork, but the visitors were creatively abject and were unable to record a single shot on goal.

The home side, on the other hand, could have added to their cushion when a delightful Vivianne Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the hosts. Having failed to overcome any side who placed above them last season, the manager's side now have successes against Arsenal and United to put them in a commanding standing after nine games.