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Similar to Storm Claudia swept through the northwest the previous evening, the home side overwhelmed United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement three goal win for the City coach's side thanks to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that firmly established their title credentials as they reinforced their place at the WSL pinnacle.

Consecutive Losses for United

This scoreline marked successive Women's Super League setbacks for Marc Skinner’s side for the initial occasion since last May, putting them a sizable gap off the top team with their championship aspirations severely dented.

The Red Devils' ability to balance domestic and European football with a thin roster has been a hotly discussed issue since they qualified for the European competition. Considering the calendar, it always appeared this was the matchday that would seriously challenge this capability. Unfortunately for the opposition, they appeared weary from start to finish, the historic win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having left its mark.

Lineup Adjustments

The United manager had attempted to freshen things up with a handful of adjustments. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all added energy, although the omission of the high-performing Malard to the substitutes raised a few eyebrows.

City, in contrast, have no similar workload concerns. The City coach made one adjustment from last week’s win over the Toffees with Hemp making her first start since returning from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The pressure started to gather for the United boss and his team from the opening minute. This was a show of the power from City whose dynamic attack manipulated and tore United open with a excellent initial 45 minutes performance that saw them put three past the keeper in just over twenty minutes.

This left the home team firmly in control and had Manchester United struggling. Before this fixture, United had let in just six in this domestic competition but they fell apart in the presence of Manchester City's creative prowess.

Early Chances

The omens came soon when Miedema used her power to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything from the start, exploiting the room left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her deliveries were causing problems and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had several sorties ahead, their direct style giving them options in the wide areas but they could not challenge the City goalkeeper. Manchester City, meanwhile, dominated possession, teasing their opposition and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They made their pressure count with almost the first period played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A ball to the back post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to head in. It was City’s seventh header of the season.

They increased their advantage with an additional two goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was permitted to drive through the center from defense, the play opened up for City. The key Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right before providing a precise low cross for Bunny Shaw to tap home. A short time later, they had a additional score after a rapid turnover in possession saw Lauren Hemp given the opportunity to drive a shot home from range.

After the Break

The clearest change came from the United manager at the interval as Melvine Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the match. Ex- City player Jess Park came most likely to score, striking the upright, but the visitors were creatively abject and did not manage to record a single shot on goal.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have extended their lead when a superb Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it was insignificant to the winning team. Having failed to beat any opponent who ended above them the previous campaign, City's side now have wins against the Gunners and Manchester United to put them in a strong standing after nine matches.