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Just as Storm Claudia tore through the northern region the prior day, City swept United aside at the Etihad. It was a statement three goal win for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that clearly signaled their title credentials as they strengthened their place at the top of the table.

Back-to-Back Defeats for United

This result signalled back-to-back WSL defeats for the United manager's side for the maiden instance since last May, placing them seven points off the league leaders with their championship aspirations severely dented.

Manchester United's ability to balance domestic and European football with a small roster has been a hotly discussed subject since they earned a place in the European competition. Considering the calendar, it always appeared this was the period that would truly test this capability. Sadly for the opposition, they appeared fatigued throughout, the landmark win against PSG clearly having left its mark.

Lineup Adjustments

Skinner had attempted to freshen things up with a handful of alterations. Ella Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all brought vigor, although the omission of the in-form Malard to the sidelines raised a few eyebrows.

The hosts, in contrast, have no similar loading worries. The City coach made one adjustment from last week’s win over the Toffees with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since healing from injury.

Dominant First Half

The storm clouds started to gather for Skinner and his side from the first whistle. This was a show of the power from City whose potent attack manipulated and pulled the visitors apart with a excellent initial 45 minutes showing that saw them put three past the keeper in 21 minutes.

This placed City in a commanding position and had Manchester United struggling. Before this encounter, the away side had let in just a handful in this league campaign but they disintegrated in the presence of Manchester City's creative prowess.

Initial Opportunities

The early indicators came early when Vivianne Miedema used her power to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, exploiting the space left by Riviere down United’s wing. Her passes were posing a threat and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had several attacks forward, their long-ball tactic giving them alternatives in the wings but they could not challenge Yamashita. City, in the meantime, commanded the ball, probing their opposition and trying to lure them of their organization.

Goals Galore

They turned chances into goals with almost half an hour played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a corner. A cross to the far post was headed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's seventh headed goal of the campaign.

They increased their lead with another pair of goals just before the interval. When Rose was allowed to advance through the center from the back, the play became spacious for the hosts. The prominent Casparij collected the pass on the wing before delivering a precise low cross for Shaw to bundle home. Shortly later, they had a third after a swift shift in possession saw Hemp given the opportunity to drive a shot home from distance.

Final Period

The primary substitution came from the United manager at the interval as Melvine Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was ineffective to shift the momentum of the match. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came most likely to score, hitting the upright, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and did not manage to register a single shot on goal.

The home side, meanwhile, could have added to their advantage when a excellent Vivianne Miedema pass sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it did not affect the result to the winning team. Having failed to defeat any opponent who ended above them the previous campaign, City's side now have victories against Arsenal and Manchester United to put them in a favorable situation after nine matches.