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Much like Storm Claudia hit the northern region the prior day, Manchester City swept Manchester United away at the their home ground. It was a statement 3-0 victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that truly announced their title credentials as they consolidated their position at the WSL pinnacle.

Consecutive Setbacks for United

This result marked consecutive league setbacks for Skinner's side for the initial occasion since last May, placing them a sizable gap off the table toppers with their championship aspirations hanging by a thread.

United’s capability to juggle domestic and continental soccer with a thin squad has been a hotly discussed topic since they qualified for the UCL. Looking at the calendar, it always appeared this was the matchday that would truly test this ability. Sadly for the opposition, they seemed tired all game, the landmark win against the French side clearly having left its mark.

Team Changes

Marc Skinner had sought to make changes with a a few changes. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all added vigor, although the dropping of the in-form Melvine Malard to the sidelines raised a few eyebrows.

The hosts, in comparison, have no similar workload issues. Jeglertz made a single alteration from the previous win over Everton with Hemp making her return to the lineup since healing from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The trouble started to build for the United boss and his squad from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the strength from City whose potent forward line manipulated and tore United open with a superb opening period performance that saw them put three past the keeper in 21 minutes.

This left the home team firmly in control and saw the visitors all at sea. Prior to this encounter, United had conceded just few in this WSL season but they collapsed in the wake of the hosts' creative prowess.

Initial Opportunities

The early indicators came soon when Miedema used her strength to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything from the start, using the room left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right side. Her deliveries were posing a threat and led to an attempt for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of sorties forwards, their long-ball tactic giving them options in the wide areas but they could not challenge Yamashita. City, meanwhile, controlled possession, teasing their opponents and trying to pull them out of their structure.

Scoring Spree

They converted their dominance with almost thirty minutes played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A cross to the back post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's seventh headed goal of the season.

They increased their lead with an additional two goals just before the break. When Rose was permitted to advance through the center from the back, the field became spacious for City. The key Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the right before providing a precise ground pass for Shaw to force home. Shortly later, they had a third after a quick shift in the ball saw Hemp allowed the space to drive a shot home from range.

After the Break

The clearest substitution came from Skinner at the half-time as Melvine Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was too late to shift the momentum of the match. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came nearest, hitting the upright, but the away team were lacking in ideas and were unable to register a single shot on target.

The home side, meanwhile, could have increased their cushion when a delightful Vivianne Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it did not affect the result to the winning team. After failing to beat any side who placed above them in the prior term, City's side now have victories against the Gunners and United to position them in a commanding situation after nine games.