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Just as bad weather tore through the northern region the night before, City blew Manchester United away at the their home ground. It was a statement 3-0 triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that clearly signaled their championship potential as they consolidated their position at the league summit.

Back-to-Back Defeats for Manchester United

This scoreline signalled back-to-back league defeats for Marc Skinner’s side for the maiden instance since last May, putting them a sizable gap off the table toppers with their championship aspirations in serious doubt.

The Red Devils' capability to manage league and European soccer with a limited team has been a frequently analyzed subject since they qualified for the European competition. Considering the calendar, it always seemed this was the week that would truly test this ability. Unfortunately for the visitors, they appeared weary all game, the historic win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having left its mark.

Team Changes

The United manager had attempted to make changes with a handful of adjustments. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Galton all brought vigor, although the dropping of the high-performing Melvine Malard to the bench was questioned.

Manchester City, in opposition, have no such fitness concerns. The City coach made one adjustment from last week’s win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since healing from a fitness issue.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to accumulate for the United boss and his team from the opening minute. This was a exhibition of the power from City whose potent offense manipulated and dismantled the opposition with a excellent first half performance that saw them score three goals in 21 minutes.

This put the hosts in a commanding position and had Manchester United all at sea. Before this encounter, United had conceded just a handful in this league campaign but they disintegrated in the presence of Manchester City's offensive ingenuity.

Opening Threats

The warning signs came early when Vivianne Miedema used her power to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot past the post. Hemp was at the heart of everything from the start, exploiting the gap left by Riviere down United’s right flank. Her passes were creating danger and led to an attempt for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had multiple attacks forwards, their long-ball tactic giving them options in the flanks but they could not test Yamashita. City, in the meantime, dominated the ball, taunting their opposition and trying to draw them out of their defensive shape.

Scoring Spree

They turned chances into goals with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A delivery to the far post was headed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's 7th headed goal of the term.

They added to their advantage with an additional two goals just before the break. When Rose was permitted to maraud through the midfield from the back, the play opened up for City. The key Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the wing before delivering a accurate low cross for Shaw to tap home. Four minutes later, they had a third after a swift change in the ball saw Hemp afforded the room to strike a shot home from outside the box.

Final Period

The clearest change came from Skinner at the interval as Melvine Malard came on for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the match. Former Manchester City player Park came most likely to score, striking the upright, but the visitors were offensively poor and did not manage to produce a one shot on target.

The home side, in contrast, could have added to their advantage when a delightful Vivianne Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it was insignificant to the hosts. Having failed to overcome any opponent who finished above them in the prior term, the manager's side now have successes against the Gunners and United to put them in a strong situation after nine matches.