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Much like bad weather hit the northern region the previous evening, City blew Manchester United away at the Etihad. It was a statement three-nil triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side owing to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that truly announced their leadership claims as they consolidated their place at the top of the table.

Successive Losses for United

This scoreline signalled consecutive league losses for Skinner's side for the initial occasion since last May, putting them a sizable gap off the table toppers with their trophy ambitions severely dented.

The Red Devils' capability to balance domestic and continental football with a limited team has been a hotly discussed topic since they earned a place in the European competition. Looking at the calendar, it always appeared this was the matchday that would fully examine this fortitude. Regrettably for the visitors, they appeared weary from start to finish, the landmark win against PSG clearly having left its mark.

Tactical Shifts

The United manager had attempted to make changes with a a few alterations. Ella Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all brought energy, although the omission of the on-form Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

Manchester City, in comparison, have fewer loading worries. Andrée Jeglertz made one change from last week’s win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her initial starting appearance since returning from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The storm clouds started to gather for Skinner and his team from the opening minute. This was a demonstration of the quality from City whose energetic offense played with and pulled the visitors apart with a excellent initial 45 minutes performance that saw them net a trio in just over twenty minutes.

This left the home team firmly in control and had Manchester United all at sea. Prior to this match, United had conceded just a handful in this domestic competition but they disintegrated in the face of Manchester City's offensive ingenuity.

Opening Threats

The early indicators came soon when Miedema used her physicality to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot past the post. Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, exploiting the gap left by Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her deliveries were posing a threat and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had a number of forays forward, their direct style giving them alternatives in the wings but they could not trouble Ayaka Yamashita. City, in the meantime, commanded possession, teasing their opponents and trying to pull them out of their organization.

Goals Galore

They converted their dominance with almost thirty minutes played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A cross to the back post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester 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 permitted to maraud through the center from central defence, the play opened up for City. The influential Casparij collected the pass on the wing before delivering a pinpoint low cross for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a additional score after a rapid turnover in possession saw Hemp given the space to strike a attempt home from outside the box.

Second Half

The clearest adjustment came from the United manager at the break as Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the match. Former City player Park came nearest, hitting the woodwork, but the visitors were offensively poor and were unable to produce a single shot on goal.

The home side, on the other hand, could have added to their lead when a delightful Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it did not affect the result to the winning team. Having failed to overcome any opponent who ended above them the previous campaign, the manager's side now have victories against the Gunners and Manchester United to put them in a strong position after nine matches.