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Similar to the recent storm hit the northern region the previous evening, the home side swept Manchester United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a convincing three goal triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a performance that truly announced their title credentials as they reinforced their place at the league summit.

Consecutive Losses for United

This outcome marked consecutive Women's Super League setbacks for Skinner's side for the maiden instance since last May, placing them a sizable gap off the league leaders with their trophy ambitions in serious doubt.

Manchester United's ability to balance league and European football with a thin squad has been a hotly discussed issue since they qualified for the Champions League. Looking at the schedule, it always appeared this was the period that would truly test this fortitude. Regrettably for the visitors, they seemed fatigued all game, the memorable win against the French side clearly having left its mark.

Lineup Adjustments

Marc Skinner had attempted to rotate the squad with a several alterations. Ella Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all brought freshness, although the omission of the on-form Malard to the bench raised a few eyebrows.

The hosts, in opposition, have no similar loading worries. Andrée Jeglertz made a single alteration from their most recent win over the Toffees with Hemp making her first start since recovering from a fitness issue.

Overpowering Start

The storm clouds started to build for Skinner and his side from the kickoff. This was a exhibition of the strength from City whose dynamic forward line manipulated and pulled the visitors apart with a excellent opening period showing that saw them put three past the keeper in under half an hour.

This left the home team completely dominant and had Manchester United struggling. Prior to this fixture, the away side had allowed just few in this domestic competition but they disintegrated in the face of the hosts' offensive ingenuity.

Early Chances

The early indicators came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot wide. Hemp was at the core of everything in the beginning, using the room left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an attempt for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had a number of attacks ahead, their straightforward approach giving them options in the wings but they could not trouble the City goalkeeper. City, on the other hand, dominated possession, teasing their opposition and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Triple Strike

They converted their dominance with almost the first period played when Fujino won the hosts a corner. A ball to the back post was headed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to head in. It was City’s 7th headed goal of the season.

They added to their lead with another pair of goals just before the interval. When Rose was able to advance through the middle from central defence, the field widened for City. The influential Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right before delivering a accurate driven ball for Shaw to tap home. A short time later, they had a additional score after a rapid shift in the ball saw Hemp afforded the room to strike a shot home from range.

After the Break

The clearest substitution came from Skinner at the break as Melvine Malard came on for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to shift the momentum of the game. Former Manchester City player Park came nearest, rattling the upright, but the away team were lacking in ideas and did not manage to produce a one shot on target.

The home side, meanwhile, could have extended their lead when a superb Miedema through ball sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the winning team. Previously unable to defeat any team who ended above them last season, City's side now have successes against the Gunners and United to place them in a commanding standing after nine games.