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Similar to Storm Claudia tore through the north-west the previous evening, Manchester City blew the visitors away at the their home ground. It was a statement three-nil victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that truly announced their leadership claims as they consolidated their place at the league summit.

Back-to-Back Losses for Manchester United

This outcome signalled back-to-back league losses for Skinner's side for the initial occasion since last May, putting them a significant margin off the league leaders with their title hopes hanging by a thread.

Manchester United's capacity to juggle league and continental soccer with a small team has been a widely debated subject since they qualified for the Champions League. Considering the calendar, it always seemed this was the period that would seriously challenge this ability. Sadly for the away side, they appeared weary from start to finish, the memorable win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having had an impact.

Team Changes

The United manager had attempted to rotate the squad with a several adjustments. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all brought energy, although the dropping of the on-form Melvine Malard to the bench raised a few eyebrows.

Manchester City, in contrast, have no such workload issues. Andrée Jeglertz made one adjustment from the previous win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her first start since returning from injury.

Overpowering Start

The trouble started to accumulate for the United boss and his squad from the kickoff. This was a exhibition of the quality from City whose energetic forward line played with and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime initial 45 minutes performance that saw them net a trio in under half an hour.

This put the hosts firmly in control and saw the visitors all at sea. Before this encounter, the away side had allowed just six in this WSL season but they collapsed in the presence of Manchester City's attacking flair.

Early Chances

The warning signs came soon when Miedema used her strength to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, taking advantage of the space left by Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her crosses were creating danger and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had several sorties forwards, their direct style giving them alternatives in the wide areas but they could not challenge the City goalkeeper. City, in the meantime, controlled the ball, teasing their rivals and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They turned chances into goals with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A cross to the far post was headed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's 7th goal from a cross of the season.

They extended their cushion with two more goals just before the half-time. When Rose was permitted to drive through the middle from the back, the field widened for City. The influential Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right side before sending a precise low cross for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a additional score after a swift change in possession saw Hemp afforded the room to drive a effort home from outside the box.

Final Period

The primary change came from the United manager at the half-time as Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was ineffective to alter the outcome of the game. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came nearest, striking the upright, but the away team were offensively poor and failed to produce a single shot on target.

The home side, in contrast, could have added to their cushion when a excellent Vivianne Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the hosts. Having failed to overcome any team who placed above them last season, the manager's side now have victories against the Gunners and United to position them in a strong situation after the opening fixtures.