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Much like Storm Claudia hit the north-west the night before, the home side overwhelmed the visitors away at the their home ground. It was a convincing three-nil win for their manager's side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that truly announced their championship potential as they strengthened their standing at the WSL pinnacle.

Successive Defeats for United

This outcome signalled successive league losses for the United manager's side for the initial occasion since last May, placing them a significant margin off the league leaders with their championship aspirations severely dented.

Manchester United's capacity to manage league and continental soccer with a limited team has been a hotly discussed topic since they qualified for the Champions League. Looking at the calendar, it always seemed this was the week that would truly test this capability. Unfortunately for the away side, they seemed fatigued throughout, the memorable win against PSG clearly having left its mark.

Lineup Adjustments

Skinner had tried to rotate the squad with a several changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all added vigor, although the dropping of the in-form Malard to the sidelines caused surprise.

Manchester City, in comparison, have fewer fitness worries. The City coach made one change from last week’s win over the Toffees with Hemp making her first start since returning from a physical setback.

Commanding Opening Period

The trouble started to accumulate for the United boss and his side from the opening minute. This was a exhibition of the strength from Manchester City whose potent attack played with and tore United open with a sublime first half display that saw them put three past the keeper in just over twenty minutes.

This put the hosts in a commanding position and saw the visitors disorganized. Before this match, United had let in just six in this league campaign but they collapsed in the wake of City’s creative prowess.

Early Chances

The omens came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot off target. Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, using the room left by Riviere down the visitors' right side. Her deliveries were posing a threat and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had multiple forays forwards, their long-ball tactic giving them alternatives in the wings but they could not test the City goalkeeper. City, in the meantime, controlled the ball, taunting their rivals and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They converted their dominance with almost the first period played when Fujino won the hosts a corner. A ball to the far post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was Manchester City's seventh goal from a cross of the campaign.

They extended their lead with another pair of goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was permitted to maraud through the middle from central defence, the field opened up for City. The prominent Casparij collected the pass on the right side before delivering a pinpoint low cross for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. Four minutes later, they had a additional score after a rapid turnover in the ball saw Lauren Hemp allowed the opportunity to fire a shot home from distance.

Final Period

The most obvious substitution came from the United manager at the half-time as Melvine Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the match. Former City player Jess Park came nearest, striking the woodwork, but the away team were lacking in ideas and were unable to record a one shot on goal.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have increased their cushion when a superb Vivianne Miedema pass sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the winning team. After failing to beat any opponent who placed above them in the prior term, Jeglertz’s side now have victories against Arsenal and Manchester United to position them in a strong situation after the opening fixtures.