Man City 3-0 Manchester United: Lauren Hemp finds the net in Manchester City comfortable victory.

Much like Storm Claudia hit the northern region the prior day, City overwhelmed the visitors aside at the Etihad. It was a convincing three goal victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a performance that clearly signaled their championship potential as they strengthened their position at the top of the table.

Successive Setbacks for United

This result signalled back-to-back league setbacks for Marc Skinner’s side for the first time since last May, leaving them seven points off the table toppers with their title hopes hanging by a thread.

United’s capacity to balance domestic and continental soccer with a limited roster has been a frequently analyzed issue since they earned a place in the Champions League. Considering the fixture list, it always felt like this was the week that would truly test this capability. Regrettably for the opposition, they looked fatigued from start to finish, the landmark win against PSG clearly having had an impact.

Lineup Adjustments

Skinner had tried to make changes with a handful of changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all added vigor, although the exclusion of the on-form Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

The hosts, in opposition, have no such fitness worries. Andrée Jeglertz made one adjustment from their most recent win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since recovering from injury.

Dominant First Half

The pressure started to build for the United boss and his team from the first whistle. This was a show of the quality from Manchester City whose potent offense controlled and dismantled the opposition with a excellent initial 45 minutes showing that saw them net a trio in under half an hour.

This placed City firmly in control and left United all at sea. Before this match, United had allowed just few in this WSL season but they collapsed in the wake of Manchester City's attacking flair.

Early Chances

The early indicators came early when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot off target. Hemp was at the core of everything early on, using the space left by Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her passes were posing a threat and led to an opportunity for Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had several attacks ahead, their direct style giving them alternatives in the wings but they could not challenge Yamashita. City, on the other hand, dominated possession, teasing their opponents and trying to draw them out of their defensive shape.

Triple Strike

They made their pressure count with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A ball to the back post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's 7th goal from a cross of the campaign.

They added to their cushion with an additional two goals just before the half-time. When Rose was allowed to maraud through the center from defense, the field became spacious for City. The influential Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right before delivering a precise driven ball for Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a third after a swift change in possession saw Hemp allowed the opportunity to drive a shot home from outside the box.

Final Period

The most obvious adjustment came from Skinner at the half-time as Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to shift the momentum of the game. Ex- City player Park came nearest, rattling the post, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and were unable to record a one shot on target.

The hosts, in contrast, could have added to their cushion when a superb Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it did not affect the result to the hosts. Previously unable to overcome any side who placed above them in the prior term, Jeglertz’s side now have successes against the Gunners and United to place them in a commanding standing after the opening fixtures.