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Similar to the recent storm hit the northern region the previous evening, Manchester City overwhelmed United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a convincing three-nil victory for their manager's side owing to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that clearly signaled their leadership claims as they strengthened their position at the top of the table.

Successive Defeats for Manchester United

This outcome marked consecutive WSL defeats for the United manager's side for the initial occasion since last May, leaving them seven points off the table toppers with their championship aspirations hanging by a thread.

The Red Devils' ability to balance league and European soccer with a thin team has been a widely debated issue since they secured entry to the European competition. Reviewing the schedule, it always seemed this was the period that would truly test this fortitude. Sadly for the opposition, they looked weary from start to finish, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having had an impact.

Team Changes

The United manager had tried to freshen things up with a handful of adjustments. Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all added vigor, although the dropping of the in-form Malard to the bench was questioned.

The hosts, in comparison, have no such loading worries. Andrée Jeglertz made one adjustment from the previous win over Everton with Hemp making her first start since recovering from injury.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to build for Skinner and his team from the first whistle. This was a show of the strength from City whose dynamic forward line manipulated and tore United open with a excellent initial 45 minutes display that saw them net a trio in just over twenty minutes.

This placed City completely dominant and left United disorganized. In advance of this match, the away side had allowed just a handful in this domestic competition but they disintegrated in the wake of City’s attacking flair.

Early Chances

The omens came quickly when Miedema used her physicality to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot off target. Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, exploiting the space left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' right side. Her crosses were creating danger and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

The Red Devils had several attacks forwards, their direct style giving them alternatives in the wings but they could not test Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, on the other hand, commanded the ball, teasing their opposition and trying to draw them out of their structure.

Triple Strike

They turned chances into goals with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A delivery to the back post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's seventh headed goal of the campaign.

They extended their lead with another pair of goals just before the half-time. When Rose was allowed to maraud through the midfield from the back, the field became spacious for the hosts. The prominent Casparij received possession on the wing before delivering a precise low cross for Shaw to bundle home. Shortly later, they had a additional score after a quick turnover in the ball saw Lauren Hemp afforded the opportunity to strike a attempt home from distance.

Second Half

The most obvious 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 contest. Ex- Manchester City player Park came nearest, striking the woodwork, but the away team were lacking in ideas and did not manage to record a solitary shot on target.

The hosts, in contrast, could have increased their advantage when a delightful Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it was insignificant to the hosts. Previously unable to beat any team who placed above them last season, City's side now have successes against the Gunners and Manchester United to place them in a commanding situation after the opening fixtures.