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Just as bad weather hit the north-west the previous evening, City overwhelmed the visitors aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement three goal triumph for their manager's side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a performance that truly announced their leadership claims as they strengthened their place at the league summit.

Successive Setbacks for Manchester United

This scoreline represented successive league losses for Skinner's side for the maiden instance since last May, putting them seven points off the league leaders with their trophy ambitions hanging by a thread.

The Red Devils' ability to manage league and European football with a small team has been a frequently analyzed topic since they earned a place in the UCL. Reviewing the schedule, it always appeared this was the period that would fully examine this capability. Unfortunately for the visitors, they looked tired all game, the historic win against PSG clearly having taken a toll.

Team Changes

The United manager had tried to make changes with a a few changes. Ella Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all added vigor, although the exclusion of the on-form Melvine Malard to the sidelines raised a few eyebrows.

The hosts, in contrast, have no similar workload issues. The City coach made one adjustment from last week’s win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her first start since recovering from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The trouble started to gather for Skinner and his squad from the kickoff. This was a demonstration of the power from Manchester City whose potent attack played with and tore United open with a superb opening period showing that saw them net a trio in 21 minutes.

This put the hosts firmly in control and had Manchester United all at sea. In advance of this encounter, the away side had allowed just six in this WSL season but they disintegrated in the presence of City’s attacking flair.

Early Chances

The warning signs came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her power to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot wide. Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, taking advantage of the room left by Riviere down United’s wing. Her deliveries were creating danger and led to an opportunity for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had multiple sorties forwards, their long-ball tactic giving them alternatives in the wide areas but they could not challenge the City goalkeeper. City, meanwhile, dominated possession, probing their opponents and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They made their pressure count with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a corner. A cross to the far post was headed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to head in. It was Manchester City's seventh header of the campaign.

They increased their lead with two more goals just before the half-time. When Rose was allowed to drive through the midfield from defense, the play opened up for the hosts. The prominent Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right side before providing a precise low cross for Shaw to force home. Shortly later, they had a additional score after a rapid change in possession saw Lauren Hemp given the room to strike a attempt home from outside the box.

After the Break

The clearest adjustment came from Skinner at the interval as Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was ineffective to shift the momentum of the game. Ex- Manchester City player Jess Park came nearest, striking the woodwork, but the away team were lacking in ideas and did not manage to record a single shot on goal.

The home side, on the other hand, could have increased their cushion when a excellent Vivianne Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the hosts. Previously unable to overcome any side who ended above them last season, City's side now have wins against the Gunners and United to put them in a commanding situation after nine matches.