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Just as Storm Claudia tore through the northern region the previous evening, City swept Manchester United aside at the their home ground. It was a emphatic 3-0 win for Andrée Jeglertz’s side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that truly announced their leadership claims as they reinforced their standing at the league summit.

Successive Losses for Manchester United

This outcome represented consecutive WSL losses for the United manager's side for the initial occasion since last May, placing them a significant margin off the table toppers with their title hopes hanging by a thread.

United’s ability to balance domestic and European football with a thin squad has been a hotly discussed subject since they secured entry to the European competition. Reviewing the calendar, it always felt like this was the week that would truly test this ability. Sadly for the visitors, they looked tired from start to finish, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having left its mark.

Team Changes

The United manager had tried to freshen things up with a several adjustments. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all brought vigor, although the dropping of the high-performing Malard to the sidelines was questioned.

The hosts, in comparison, have fewer loading worries. The City coach made a single alteration from their most recent win over the Toffees with Hemp making her return to the lineup since returning from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The pressure started to build for the United boss and his squad from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the strength from Manchester City whose potent offense played with and dismantled the opposition with a sublime first half display that saw them net a trio in just over twenty minutes.

This placed City completely dominant and had Manchester United all at sea. Before this encounter, the away side had allowed just a handful in this league campaign but they fell apart in the face of City’s attacking flair.

Opening Threats

The warning signs came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her power to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Hemp was at the heart of everything from the start, taking advantage of the space left by Riviere down United’s wing. Her deliveries were creating danger and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had several attacks ahead, their direct style giving them options in the wide areas but they could not test the City goalkeeper. Manchester City, meanwhile, controlled possession, teasing their rivals and trying to lure them of their structure.

Scoring Spree

They turned chances into goals with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a corner. A delivery to the far post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was City’s 7th header of the season.

They increased their cushion with another pair of goals just before the interval. When Rose was allowed to drive through the midfield from central defence, the pitch became spacious for the hosts. The prominent Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the right side before delivering a pinpoint ground pass for Shaw to tap home. Shortly later, they had a additional score after a rapid change in the ball saw Lauren Hemp given the space to strike a attempt home from outside the box.

Second Half

The primary substitution came from the United manager at the interval as Melvine Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to shift the momentum of the game. Ex- Manchester City player Jess Park came nearest, hitting the upright, but the visitors were creatively abject and did not manage to record a single shot on target.

The hosts, on the other hand, could have added to their advantage when a delightful Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the winning team. After failing to overcome any team who placed above them the previous campaign, Jeglertz’s side now have successes against the Gunners and Manchester United to place them in a favorable situation after nine matches.