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Similar to bad weather hit the northern region the prior day, the home side overwhelmed United aside at the their home ground. It was a statement three goal triumph for their manager's side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a performance that clearly signaled their title credentials as they consolidated their place at the WSL pinnacle.

Back-to-Back Setbacks for United

This result marked successive WSL setbacks for Skinner's side for the first time since last May, leaving them a significant margin off the table toppers with their championship aspirations severely dented.

Manchester United's capacity to juggle league and continental football with a thin roster has been a hotly discussed subject since they earned a place in the Champions League. Reviewing the fixture list, it always seemed this was the week that would fully examine this ability. Regrettably for the away side, they appeared tired throughout, the landmark win against the French side clearly having taken a toll.

Tactical Shifts

The United manager had attempted to freshen things up with a a few adjustments. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all added vigor, although the omission of the on-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes was questioned.

City, in contrast, have no similar fitness concerns. Andrée Jeglertz made a single alteration from the previous win over the Toffees with Hemp making her first start since healing from injury.

Overpowering Start

The storm clouds started to accumulate for the United boss and his team from the first whistle. This was a show of the power from City whose potent forward line controlled and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime opening period display that saw them net a trio in under half an hour.

This left the home team firmly in control and saw the visitors all at sea. Before this fixture, United had conceded just a handful in this league campaign but they collapsed in the presence of City’s offensive ingenuity.

Early Chances

The omens came soon when Miedema used her physicality to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, taking advantage of the room left by Riviere down United’s wing. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an opportunity for Hasegawa that Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had a number of sorties forwards, their direct style giving them options in the flanks but they could not challenge Yamashita. Manchester City, meanwhile, controlled possession, teasing their rivals and trying to pull them out of their organization.

Goals Galore

They turned chances into goals with almost thirty minutes played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A delivery to the far post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to score. It was City’s 7th goal from a cross of the term.

They increased their advantage with two more goals just before the break. When Rose was permitted to advance through the middle from defense, the play widened for the hosts. The prominent Casparij received possession on the right side before delivering a pinpoint driven ball for Shaw to force home. Shortly later, they had a third goal after a swift shift in possession saw Lauren Hemp allowed the space to drive a shot home from distance.

Final Period

The most obvious adjustment came from the United manager at the interval as Melvine Malard came on for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to alter the outcome of the game. Ex- City player Jess Park came closest, rattling the upright, but the away team were offensively poor and were unable to register a single shot on goal.

The home side, meanwhile, could have increased their advantage when a excellent Miedema through ball sent Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it did not affect the result to the winning team. Previously unable to defeat any side who placed above them last season, City's side now have wins against the Gunners and United to place them in a commanding standing after nine games.