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Similar to Storm Claudia tore through the northern region the previous evening, the home side blew Manchester United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement three-nil triumph for their manager's side due to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that clearly signaled their title credentials as they consolidated their place at the top of the table.

Successive Setbacks for United

This result marked consecutive league defeats for the United manager's side for the initial occasion since last May, placing them a significant margin off the top team with their title hopes in serious doubt.

Manchester United's capacity to manage league and continental soccer with a limited team has been a hotly discussed topic since they secured entry to the UCL. Considering the schedule, it always appeared this was the period that would truly test this capability. Unfortunately for the opposition, they appeared fatigued all game, the landmark win against PSG clearly having had an impact.

Team Changes

The United manager had sought to rotate the squad with a several changes. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all brought energy, although the omission of the on-form Malard to the bench raised a few eyebrows.

Manchester City, in opposition, have fewer fitness issues. The City coach made one change from last week’s win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since returning from a physical setback.

Dominant First Half

The storm clouds started to build for the United boss and his side from the opening minute. This was a demonstration of the quality from Manchester City whose energetic forward line controlled and dismantled the opposition with a superb opening period performance that saw them put three past the keeper in just over twenty minutes.

This placed City firmly in control and saw the visitors all at sea. Prior to this match, the away side had conceded just a handful in this domestic competition but they collapsed in the presence of the hosts' offensive ingenuity.

Early Chances

The omens came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her power to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot past the post. Hemp was at the core of everything from the start, exploiting the space left by Riviere down United’s wing. Her deliveries were posing a threat and led to an opportunity for Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had multiple attacks forwards, their direct style giving them choices in the flanks but they could not test Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, on the other hand, commanded the ball, taunting their opponents and trying to draw them out of their structure.

Scoring Spree

They turned chances into goals with almost thirty minutes played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A ball to the far post was directed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to head in. It was City’s 7th headed goal of the term.

They added to their cushion with another pair of goals just before the interval. When Rose was allowed to advance through the center from defense, the field widened for City. The influential Casparij received possession on the right before providing a precise low cross for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a rapid turnover in possession saw Lauren Hemp allowed the opportunity to strike a effort home from range.

Final Period

The clearest change came from Skinner at the break as Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was futile to alter the outcome of the game. Ex- City player Jess Park came most likely to score, striking the upright, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and did not manage to register a single shot on target.

The home side, on the other hand, could have increased their advantage when a excellent Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it mattered little to the hosts. After failing to overcome any team who placed above them last season, City's side now have successes against Arsenal and United to place them in a favorable standing after nine matches.