Man City 3-0 The Red Devils: Lauren Hemp finds the net in City comfortable victory.

Much like Storm Claudia tore through the north-west the previous evening, City blew United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement 3-0 win for their manager's side due to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that clearly signaled their leadership claims as they consolidated their place at the top of the table.

Back-to-Back Setbacks for United

This outcome represented consecutive league setbacks for Skinner's side for the initial occasion since last May, putting them seven points off the league leaders with their championship aspirations severely dented.

Manchester United's capability to balance domestic and European football with a limited squad has been a frequently analyzed issue since they secured entry to the UCL. Considering the schedule, it always appeared this was the week that would truly test this capability. Regrettably for the opposition, they seemed fatigued all game, the historic win against the French side clearly having taken a toll.

Team Changes

The United manager had sought to freshen things up with a several alterations. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Galton all added vigor, although the exclusion of the on-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

City, in opposition, have no similar loading worries. The City coach made a single alteration from last week’s win over the Toffees with Hemp making her first start since returning from injury.

Overpowering Start

The trouble started to gather for Skinner and his team from the kickoff. This was a demonstration of the strength from Manchester City whose energetic forward line controlled and dismantled the opposition with a sublime initial 45 minutes performance that saw them put three past the keeper in under half an hour.

This put the hosts in a commanding position and had Manchester United disorganized. Before this fixture, the away side had allowed just six in this league campaign but they disintegrated in the wake of the hosts' offensive ingenuity.

Early Chances

The early indicators came soon when Miedema used her strength to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything early on, exploiting the room left by Riviere down United’s wing. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an attempt for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had multiple forays ahead, their long-ball tactic giving them options in the wide areas but they could not test Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, on the other hand, dominated possession, taunting their opponents and trying to pull them out of their organization.

Triple Strike

They converted their dominance with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the hosts a corner. A cross to the back post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was City’s seventh header of the campaign.

They added to their cushion with another pair of goals just before the half-time. When Rose was able to maraud through the middle from defense, the field widened for the hosts. The prominent Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the right side before sending a accurate low cross for Bunny Shaw to force home. Shortly later, they had a third after a swift change in possession saw Lauren Hemp given the room to fire a effort home from outside the box.

Second Half

The clearest adjustment came from the United manager at the interval as Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was futile to alter the outcome of the game. Ex- Manchester City player Jess Park came closest, striking the post, but the visitors were offensively poor and were unable to record a solitary shot on goal.

The home side, on the other hand, could have increased their lead when a superb Vivianne Miedema through ball sent Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it was insignificant to the hosts. Previously unable to defeat any opponent who finished above them in the prior term, the manager's side now have wins against Arsenal and Manchester United to position them in a favorable standing after the opening fixtures.