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Just as the recent storm hit the northwest the night before, the home side swept United aside at the Etihad. It was a emphatic 3-0 win for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a performance that firmly established their leadership claims as they consolidated their place at the top of the table.

Back-to-Back Losses for Manchester United

This scoreline marked successive league losses for Marc Skinner’s side for the maiden instance since last May, leaving them seven points off the league leaders with their championship aspirations hanging by a thread.

The Red Devils' ability to balance domestic and European football with a small team has been a hotly discussed topic since they secured entry to the European competition. Looking at the calendar, it always seemed this was the week that would seriously challenge this ability. Unfortunately for the away side, they appeared tired throughout, the memorable win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having taken a toll.

Tactical Shifts

Skinner had tried to freshen things up with a several changes. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all provided freshness, although the dropping of the in-form Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

City, in opposition, have fewer fitness issues. Andrée Jeglertz made a single alteration from last week’s win over the Toffees with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since healing from a fitness issue.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to gather for the United boss and his squad from the first whistle. This was a show of the strength from Manchester City whose potent attack played with and dismantled the opposition with a excellent opening period showing that saw them score three goals in under half an hour.

This left the home team firmly in control and had Manchester United all at sea. Before this match, United had conceded just six in this league campaign but they fell apart in the presence of Manchester City's creative prowess.

Early Chances

The warning signs came early when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything early on, taking advantage of the room left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her passes were posing a threat and led to an opportunity for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

The Red Devils had multiple sorties forward, their direct style giving them alternatives in the wide areas but they could not challenge Ayaka Yamashita. City, in the meantime, commanded the ball, teasing their opponents and trying to lure them of their structure.

Scoring Spree

They converted their dominance with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the hosts a corner. A delivery to the far post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to score. It was City’s seventh goal from a cross of the season.

They increased their advantage with another pair of goals just before the half-time. When Jade Rose was allowed to drive through the midfield from the back, the pitch became spacious for City. The prominent Casparij collected the pass on the right side before delivering a pinpoint low cross for Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a quick change in the ball saw Lauren Hemp afforded the space to drive a shot home from distance.

Final Period

The clearest change came from the United manager at the half-time as Melvine Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was too late to change the course of the contest. Ex- City player Park came closest, hitting the post, but the away team were lacking in ideas and did not manage to register a one shot on goal.

The home side, in contrast, could have increased their advantage when a delightful Vivianne Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it mattered little to the hosts. Previously unable to beat any side who placed above them last season, City's side now have wins against the Gunners and United to place them in a strong standing after the opening fixtures.