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Just as bad weather tore through the northern region the previous evening, City swept the visitors aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a convincing three goal win for their manager's side due to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that clearly signaled their championship potential as they consolidated their place at the top of the table.

Successive Setbacks for Manchester United

This outcome signalled back-to-back WSL setbacks for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, putting them a significant margin off the league leaders with their championship aspirations in serious doubt.

Manchester United's capacity to juggle domestic and European soccer with a small roster has been a hotly discussed issue since they secured entry to the European competition. Looking at the fixture list, it always appeared this was the matchday that would fully examine this capability. Sadly for the away side, they appeared weary all game, the historic win against the French side clearly having had an impact.

Lineup Adjustments

Skinner had attempted to make changes with a handful of changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Galton all provided vigor, although the dropping of the in-form Melvine Malard to the sidelines was questioned.

City, in opposition, have fewer workload worries. Andrée Jeglertz made one adjustment from their most recent win over Everton with Hemp making her first start since returning from a physical setback.

Commanding Opening Period

The storm clouds started to gather for the United boss and his side from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the quality from Manchester City whose potent forward line manipulated and tore United open with a superb opening period display that saw them net a trio in just over twenty minutes.

This left the home team in a commanding position and had Manchester United all at sea. Prior to this encounter, United had conceded just a handful in this league campaign but they collapsed in the wake of Manchester City's attacking flair.

Initial Opportunities

The warning signs came quickly when Miedema used her power to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot off target. Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, taking advantage of the space left by Jayde Riviere down United’s wing. Her crosses were creating danger and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had multiple attacks forwards, their direct style giving them choices in the flanks but they could not trouble Yamashita. City, meanwhile, dominated possession, teasing their opponents and trying to draw them out of their organization.

Triple Strike

They made their pressure count with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A delivery to the far post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was City’s 7th header of the season.

They added to their lead with two more goals just before the half-time. When Rose was allowed to advance through the center from the back, the field opened up for City. The prominent Casparij collected the pass on the right before delivering a pinpoint low cross for Bunny Shaw to tap home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a rapid shift in the ball saw Lauren Hemp allowed the room to strike a shot home from outside the box.

Final Period

The clearest substitution came from Skinner at the half-time as Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was too late to change the course of the game. Former City player Park came most likely to score, rattling the post, but the away team were offensively poor and were unable to produce a one shot on target.

The hosts, in contrast, could have added to their lead 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. After failing to defeat any team who placed above them last season, City's side now have victories against Arsenal and Manchester United to place them in a commanding position after the opening fixtures.