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Similar to the recent storm hit the northwest the previous evening, the home side overwhelmed the visitors aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a emphatic three-nil win for Andrée Jeglertz’s side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that clearly signaled their title credentials as they consolidated their position at the league summit.

Consecutive Losses for Manchester United

This result signalled back-to-back WSL setbacks for Marc Skinner’s side for the initial occasion since last May, putting them seven points off the top team with their title hopes in serious doubt.

United’s ability to manage domestic and European soccer with a limited team has been a widely debated issue since they secured entry to the Champions League. Considering the calendar, it always felt like this was the matchday that would seriously challenge this fortitude. Unfortunately for the away side, they appeared fatigued throughout, the memorable win against the French side clearly having had an impact.

Lineup Adjustments

Marc Skinner had tried to rotate the squad with a a few adjustments. Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all added freshness, although the exclusion of the in-form Malard to the bench was questioned.

The hosts, in comparison, have no such workload concerns. The City coach made one adjustment from last week’s win over the Toffees with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since healing from a physical setback.

Commanding Opening Period

The storm clouds started to build for Skinner and his side from the kickoff. This was a show of the quality from Manchester City whose energetic offense manipulated and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime initial 45 minutes showing that saw them score three goals in 21 minutes.

This left the home team in a commanding position and saw the visitors struggling. In advance of this match, the away side had conceded just few in this league campaign but they fell apart in the presence of City’s attacking flair.

Initial Opportunities

The early indicators came quickly when Miedema used her power to push Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, exploiting the gap left by Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her deliveries were creating danger and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had several sorties ahead, their direct style giving them alternatives in the wide areas but they could not test Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, on the other hand, dominated the ball, taunting their rivals and trying to draw them out of their structure.

Goals Galore

They turned chances into goals with almost half an hour played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A cross to the back post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's 7th goal from a cross of the season.

They added to their cushion with two more goals just before the interval. When Rose was able to drive through the middle from the back, the pitch widened for the hosts. The key Casparij collected the pass on the right before providing a precise ground pass for Bunny Shaw to tap home. Four minutes later, they had a third after a rapid turnover in possession saw Lauren Hemp allowed the opportunity to strike a attempt home from outside the box.

Second Half

The primary substitution came from the United manager at the break as Melvine Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was futile to shift the momentum of the contest. Ex- Manchester City player Jess Park came closest, rattling the upright, but the visitors were offensively poor and failed to register a one shot on target.

The home side, in contrast, could have added to their lead when a excellent Vivianne Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it did not affect the result to the winning team. Previously unable to defeat any team who ended above them last season, Jeglertz’s side now have victories against Arsenal and United to place them in a strong standing after the opening fixtures.