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Similar to the recent storm hit the north-west the prior day, the home side swept United away at the Etihad. It was a convincing three goal triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that clearly signaled their leadership claims as they consolidated their place at the WSL pinnacle.

Consecutive Defeats for Manchester United

This scoreline marked consecutive league defeats for Marc Skinner’s side for the first time since last May, leaving them a significant margin off the top team with their title hopes hanging by a thread.

United’s ability to balance league and European soccer with a small team has been a frequently analyzed subject since they earned a place in the European competition. Looking at the fixture list, it always appeared this was the matchday that would seriously challenge this capability. Sadly for the away side, they looked tired throughout, the memorable win against the French side clearly having taken a toll.

Team Changes

Skinner had tried to freshen things up with a several adjustments. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all provided energy, although the exclusion of the on-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

Manchester City, in comparison, have fewer fitness concerns. Jeglertz made one adjustment from their most recent win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her initial starting appearance since returning from injury.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to accumulate for Skinner and his team from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the power from Manchester City whose energetic offense controlled and pulled the visitors apart with a superb opening period display that saw them put three past the keeper in 21 minutes.

This placed City completely dominant and left United struggling. In advance of this fixture, United had let in just six in this league campaign but they disintegrated in the face of City’s attacking flair.

Early Chances

The warning signs came early when Vivianne Miedema used her power to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot wide. Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, exploiting the gap left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right flank. Her deliveries were causing problems and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had multiple sorties ahead, their straightforward approach giving them choices in the wings but they could not trouble Yamashita. Manchester City, on the other hand, controlled possession, probing their rivals and trying to pull them out of their structure.

Goals Galore

They turned chances into goals with almost the first period played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A ball to the far post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's 7th goal from a cross of the campaign.

They extended their lead with an additional two goals just before the interval. When Rose was able to maraud through the middle from the back, the pitch opened up for the hosts. The key Casparij picked the ball up on the wing before providing a accurate low cross for Bunny Shaw to tap home. A short time later, they had a third after a swift shift in the ball saw Hemp afforded the opportunity to fire a attempt home from distance.

Second Half

The most obvious substitution came from Skinner at the break as Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to alter the outcome of the game. Former City player Park came closest, hitting the post, but the away team were offensively poor and were unable to register a one shot on target.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have increased their advantage when a superb Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it mattered little to the winning team. Previously unable to overcome any side who ended above them last season, Jeglertz’s side now have wins against Arsenal and Manchester United to position them in a favorable position after the opening fixtures.