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Much like bad weather swept through the north-west the previous evening, the home side blew the visitors aside at the their home ground. It was a statement 3-0 win for the City coach's side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that truly announced their title credentials as they strengthened their position at the league summit.

Successive Setbacks for United

This scoreline signalled successive league defeats for Skinner's side for the maiden instance since last May, placing them seven points off the table toppers with their championship aspirations in serious doubt.

Manchester United's ability to balance domestic and European football with a limited team has been a frequently analyzed topic since they secured entry to the European competition. Reviewing the schedule, it always seemed this was the matchday that would fully examine this ability. Unfortunately for the visitors, they seemed tired all game, the historic win against the French side clearly having taken a toll.

Tactical Shifts

The United manager had attempted to freshen things up with a a few alterations. Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all provided energy, although the omission of the high-performing Malard to the sidelines was questioned.

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

Commanding Opening Period

The storm clouds started to gather for the United boss and his team from the opening minute. This was a demonstration of the strength from City whose energetic attack controlled and pulled the visitors apart with a superb first half showing that saw them net a trio in 21 minutes.

This left the home team firmly in control and had Manchester United disorganized. In advance of this fixture, the away side had let in just few in this domestic competition but they fell apart in the presence of Manchester City's attacking flair.

Initial Opportunities

The warning signs came soon when Miedema used her power to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything in the beginning, using the room left by Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her deliveries were causing problems and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg kicked off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of attacks forwards, their long-ball tactic giving them alternatives in the flanks but they could not test the City goalkeeper. City, on the other hand, commanded the ball, taunting their opposition and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Scoring Spree

They converted their dominance with almost the first period played when Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A cross to the back post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Knaak to head in. It was City’s seventh goal from a cross of the campaign.

They added to their advantage with another pair of goals just before the interval. When Rose was allowed to maraud through the middle from defense, the pitch opened up for the hosts. The influential Casparij picked the ball up on the wing before providing a pinpoint ground pass for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a quick turnover in the ball saw Lauren Hemp allowed the room to strike a shot home from range.

Final Period

The clearest substitution came from Skinner at the interval as Malard came on for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to change the course of the contest. Former Manchester City player Park came closest, striking the upright, but the away team were lacking in ideas and were unable to register a one shot on target.

The hosts, in contrast, could have increased their advantage when a delightful Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it did not affect the result to the winning team. After failing to defeat any side who ended above them last season, the manager's side now have victories against the Gunners and United to position them in a favorable position after nine matches.