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Similar to the recent storm hit the north-west the night before, Manchester City swept Manchester United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a convincing 3-0 triumph for the City coach's side due to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that truly announced their leadership claims as they strengthened their standing at the top of the table.

Back-to-Back Losses for United

This outcome marked successive league losses for the United manager's side for the maiden instance since last May, putting them seven points off the top team with their trophy ambitions hanging by a thread.

United’s capability to manage league and European football with a limited squad has been a widely debated subject since they secured entry to the European competition. Considering the calendar, it always appeared this was the period that would fully examine this capability. Sadly for the opposition, they appeared fatigued from start to finish, the landmark win against the French side clearly having left its mark.

Tactical Shifts

Marc Skinner had tried to rotate the squad with a a few changes. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all provided freshness, although the exclusion of the on-form Malard to the sidelines was questioned.

City, in opposition, have no such workload issues. The City coach made one adjustment from last week’s win over the Toffees with Hemp making her initial starting appearance since recovering from a physical setback.

Commanding Opening Period

The pressure started to gather for Skinner and his squad from the kickoff. This was a exhibition of the strength from Manchester City whose energetic forward line played with and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime opening period display that saw them score three goals in 21 minutes.

This placed City firmly in control and had Manchester United struggling. Before this encounter, the away side had allowed just few in this league campaign but they fell apart in the wake of Manchester City's attacking flair.

Initial Opportunities

The warning signs came early when Miedema used her physicality to push Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, using the gap left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her passes were creating danger and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had several attacks forward, their long-ball tactic giving them options in the flanks but they could not challenge Yamashita. City, on the other hand, dominated the ball, teasing their opposition and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

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 back post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to head in. It was Manchester City's 7th goal from a cross of the season.

They added to their cushion with two more goals just before the interval. When Rose was able to advance through the middle from the back, the field opened up for City. The key Casparij received possession on the right before providing a pinpoint driven ball for Shaw to tap home. Shortly later, they had a third after a quick change in the ball saw Lauren Hemp allowed the opportunity to fire a shot home from distance.

Final Period

The clearest substitution came from Skinner at the half-time as Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was ineffective to shift the momentum of the match. Former City player Park came most likely to score, striking the post, but the away team were offensively poor and were unable to record a one shot on goal.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have increased their cushion when a excellent Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it mattered little to the hosts. After failing to defeat any team who finished above them in the prior term, Jeglertz’s side now have victories against the Gunners and Manchester United to position them in a strong position after nine matches.