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Much like bad weather swept through the northern region the night before, the home side overwhelmed the visitors away at the their home ground. It was a statement three-nil triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that firmly established their title credentials as they reinforced their standing at the league summit.

Back-to-Back Defeats for United

This result marked consecutive league defeats for Skinner's side for the first time since last May, putting them a significant margin off the league leaders with their title hopes in serious doubt.

United’s capability to juggle domestic and European football with a thin roster has been a hotly discussed issue since they earned a place in the European competition. Considering the schedule, it always seemed this was the week that would truly test this capability. Regrettably for the opposition, they seemed fatigued all game, the landmark win against the French side clearly having left its mark.

Team Changes

Marc Skinner had tried to rotate the squad with a handful of adjustments. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all added energy, although the dropping of the in-form Melvine Malard to the sidelines caused surprise.

City, in opposition, have fewer fitness issues. Jeglertz made a single alteration from their most recent win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her initial starting appearance since healing from injury.

Dominant First Half

The trouble started to gather for Skinner and his squad from the opening minute. This was a exhibition of the strength from Manchester City whose potent offense manipulated and pulled the visitors apart with a superb initial 45 minutes showing that saw them net a trio in under half an hour.

This left the home team firmly in control and had Manchester United disorganized. Before this fixture, United had allowed just six in this domestic competition but they disintegrated in the face of Manchester City's attacking flair.

Early Chances

The omens came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot past the post. Hemp was at the core of everything in the beginning, taking advantage of the space left by Riviere down United’s right side. Her crosses were creating danger and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had multiple forays forward, their straightforward approach giving them choices in the wings but they could not trouble the City goalkeeper. City, on the other hand, commanded the ball, probing their opposition and trying to pull them out of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They converted their dominance with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the hosts a corner. A delivery to the far post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was City’s 7th header of the season.

They extended their lead with another pair of goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was permitted to maraud through the middle from the back, the play widened for the hosts. The prominent Kerstin Casparij received possession on the wing before providing a accurate low cross for Shaw to tap home. Four minutes later, they had a third goal after a rapid change in possession saw Hemp allowed the opportunity to fire a attempt home from range.

After the Break

The clearest substitution came from Skinner at the half-time as Melvine Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to alter the outcome of the match. Former City player Jess Park came closest, rattling the woodwork, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and failed to record a one shot on goal.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have increased their cushion when a delightful Miedema pass sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the winning team. Having failed to overcome any side who ended above them in the prior term, City's side now have wins against Arsenal and Manchester United to put them in a favorable position after nine matches.