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Just as Storm Claudia hit the north-west the prior day, City overwhelmed the visitors aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement three-nil victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that clearly signaled their championship potential as they reinforced their position at the top of the table.

Successive Losses for United

This result marked successive Women's Super League setbacks for Marc Skinner’s side for the initial occasion since last May, leaving them seven points off the table toppers with their title hopes severely dented.

The Red Devils' ability to balance domestic and European soccer with a limited roster has been a widely debated issue since they earned a place in the Champions League. Looking at the schedule, it always seemed this was the period that would fully examine this fortitude. Sadly for the opposition, they seemed tired all game, the landmark win against the French side clearly having taken a toll.

Lineup Adjustments

Marc Skinner had sought to make changes with a handful of changes. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all provided vigor, although the dropping of the in-form Malard to the substitutes raised a few eyebrows.

City, in opposition, have fewer loading worries. Andrée Jeglertz made a single alteration from last week’s win over Everton with Hemp making her first start since healing from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The storm clouds started to accumulate for Skinner and his side from the kickoff. This was a exhibition of the quality from City whose dynamic forward line played with and pulled the visitors apart with a excellent opening period display that saw them put three past the keeper in 21 minutes.

This left the home team firmly in control and had Manchester United struggling. Before this fixture, the away side had allowed just six in this league campaign but they collapsed in the face of the hosts' creative prowess.

Initial Opportunities

The warning signs came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot past the post. Hemp was at the core of everything early on, exploiting the gap left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her deliveries were posing a threat and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of forays forwards, their direct style giving them alternatives in the wings but they could not challenge the City goalkeeper. Manchester City, on the other hand, commanded the ball, teasing their rivals and trying to draw them out of their defensive shape.

Triple Strike

They made their pressure count with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A ball to the far post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was City’s 7th goal from a cross of the term.

They increased their advantage with an additional two goals just before the half-time. When Rose was allowed to advance through the midfield from the back, the play became spacious for the hosts. The key Casparij received possession on the right side before sending a pinpoint driven ball for Bunny Shaw to tap home. Shortly later, they had a additional score after a quick change in the ball saw Hemp given the space to drive a shot home from outside the box.

Final Period

The primary adjustment came from the United manager at the interval as Melvine Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to change the course of the match. Former City player Jess Park came most likely to score, rattling the woodwork, but the away team were offensively poor and were unable to record a single shot on target.

The home side, on the other hand, could have added to their lead when a delightful Vivianne Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it did not affect the result to the hosts. After failing to overcome any side who ended above them last season, the manager's side now have victories against the Gunners and United to put them in a commanding standing after the opening fixtures.