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Just as Storm Claudia hit the northwest the night before, Manchester City blew Manchester United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a convincing three goal victory for the City coach's side due to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that firmly established their championship potential as they strengthened their place at the WSL pinnacle.

Back-to-Back Defeats for Manchester United

This outcome represented successive WSL defeats for the United manager's side for the initial occasion since last May, placing them a significant margin off the league leaders with their title hopes in serious doubt.

Manchester United's ability to manage league and continental soccer with a thin team has been a widely debated topic since they earned a place in the European competition. Considering the schedule, it always seemed this was the week that would truly test this fortitude. Sadly for the away side, they seemed tired throughout, the memorable win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having had an impact.

Tactical Shifts

The United manager had attempted to make changes with a several adjustments. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all added energy, although the exclusion of the high-performing Malard to the bench raised a few eyebrows.

The hosts, in contrast, have no such loading worries. The City coach made one change from their most recent win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her initial starting appearance since healing from a physical setback.

Commanding Opening Period

The pressure started to accumulate for the United boss and his side from the first whistle. This was a show of the strength from City whose potent forward line controlled and tore United open with a excellent first half showing that saw them score three goals in under half an hour.

This put the hosts firmly in control and left United struggling. Prior to this encounter, United had allowed just six in this league campaign but they disintegrated in the presence of the hosts' offensive ingenuity.

Early Chances

The omens came early when Vivianne Miedema used her power to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot off target. Hemp was at the center of everything in the beginning, using the room left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right flank. Her deliveries were posing a threat and led to an attempt for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had a number of forays forwards, their direct style giving them options in the wide areas but they could not test Yamashita. City, meanwhile, dominated the ball, probing their opposition and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Triple Strike

They converted their dominance with almost the first period played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A cross to the far post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's 7th header of the season.

They extended their cushion with an additional two goals just before the half-time. When Jade Rose was allowed to advance through the midfield from the back, the pitch became spacious for the hosts. The key Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right side before sending a accurate ground pass for Shaw to force home. Shortly later, they had a third goal after a swift change in the ball saw Lauren Hemp allowed the space to drive a effort home from outside the box.

After the Break

The most obvious adjustment came from Skinner at the half-time as Melvine Malard came on for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to alter the outcome of the match. Ex- City player Jess Park came most likely to score, rattling the woodwork, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and were unable to register a solitary shot on target.

The hosts, in contrast, could have extended their advantage when a superb Vivianne Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it did not affect the result to the winning team. Previously unable to defeat any team who ended above them the previous campaign, City's side now have wins against the Gunners and United to place them in a favorable position after the opening fixtures.