Manchester City 3-0 The Red Devils: Lauren Hemp scores in City stroll.

Much like Storm Claudia hit the north-west the night before, the home side swept United away at the their home ground. It was a statement three-nil victory for the City coach's side due to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that clearly signaled their leadership claims as they strengthened their position at the WSL pinnacle.

Consecutive Setbacks for Manchester United

This scoreline marked consecutive league defeats for Marc Skinner’s side for the initial occasion since last May, leaving them a sizable gap off the league leaders with their title hopes hanging by a thread.

United’s capability to balance domestic and European football with a limited roster has been a widely debated issue since they secured entry to the Champions League. Reviewing the calendar, it always seemed this was the week that would seriously challenge this fortitude. Sadly for the away side, they seemed tired throughout, the historic win against the French side clearly having left its mark.

Lineup Adjustments

Skinner had sought to freshen things up with a several adjustments. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Galton all provided vigor, although the exclusion of the on-form Melvine Malard to the bench caused surprise.

City, in comparison, have no similar loading worries. The City coach made a single alteration from the previous win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since returning from injury.

Overpowering Start

The storm clouds started to gather for the United boss and his squad from the opening minute. This was a demonstration of the strength from Manchester City whose dynamic offense manipulated and dismantled the opposition with a sublime first half performance that saw them put three past the keeper in 21 minutes.

This put the hosts completely dominant and had Manchester United struggling. Prior to this encounter, the away side had allowed just a handful in this league campaign but they fell apart in the wake of City’s creative prowess.

Initial Opportunities

The early indicators came quickly when Miedema used her physicality to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything from the start, using the room left by Jayde Riviere down United’s wing. Her crosses were creating danger and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

The Red Devils had multiple forays forwards, their long-ball tactic giving them alternatives in the wide areas but they could not trouble Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, meanwhile, commanded possession, taunting their opposition and trying to draw them out of their defensive shape.

Triple Strike

They converted their dominance with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A delivery to the back post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was City’s seventh header of the campaign.

They increased their lead with an additional two goals just before the interval. When Rose was able to maraud through the middle from defense, the field opened up for the hosts. The key Casparij picked the ball up on the wing before delivering a pinpoint ground pass for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a swift turnover in the ball saw Lauren Hemp given the opportunity to strike a effort home from outside the box.

Final Period

The primary substitution came from the United manager at the break as Malard came on for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to alter the outcome of the contest. Ex- Manchester City player Jess Park came nearest, hitting the upright, but the visitors were offensively poor and failed to produce a one shot on target.

The home side, in contrast, could have increased their advantage when a superb Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it mattered little to the hosts. After failing to overcome any side who ended above them last season, City's side now have victories against the Gunners and United to put them in a commanding position after nine matches.