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Much like bad weather swept through the northwest the night before, Manchester City swept the visitors away at the their home ground. It was a convincing three goal triumph for the City coach's side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that clearly signaled their leadership claims as they strengthened their place at the top of the table.

Back-to-Back Losses for Manchester United

This scoreline marked back-to-back league setbacks for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, placing them seven points off the league leaders with their title hopes in serious doubt.

United’s ability to juggle domestic and continental soccer with a small team has been a frequently analyzed issue since they qualified for the European competition. Looking at the fixture list, it always seemed this was the period that would seriously challenge this capability. Unfortunately for the away side, they seemed tired from start to finish, the landmark win against PSG clearly having had an impact.

Team Changes

Skinner had attempted to make changes with a a few alterations. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all added vigor, although the dropping of the in-form Malard to the bench was questioned.

Manchester City, in comparison, have fewer fitness worries. Jeglertz made one adjustment from the previous win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since healing from injury.

Overpowering Start

The trouble started to accumulate for Skinner and his squad from the first whistle. This was a demonstration of the power from City whose potent offense controlled and dismantled the opposition with a superb opening period display that saw them put three past the keeper in 21 minutes.

This placed City in a commanding position and left United struggling. In advance of this match, United had let in just six in this domestic competition but they collapsed in the wake of Manchester City's creative prowess.

Early Chances

The early indicators came early when Miedema used her strength to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot past the post. Hemp was at the heart of everything from the start, exploiting the gap left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her crosses were posing a threat and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had several attacks forward, their direct style giving them alternatives in the flanks but they could not test Yamashita. Manchester City, meanwhile, controlled the ball, taunting their opposition and trying to pull them out of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They turned chances into goals with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A cross to the back post was headed across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was City’s seventh header of the season.

They increased their advantage with another pair of goals just before the interval. When Rose was able to drive through the midfield from defense, the field became spacious for the hosts. The influential Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right side before providing a accurate ground pass for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a rapid shift in possession saw Lauren Hemp allowed the space to strike a effort home from range.

Second Half

The clearest substitution came from the United manager at the half-time as Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was futile to shift the momentum of the match. Former Manchester City player Park came closest, striking the woodwork, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and failed to record a one shot on target.

The home side, meanwhile, could have increased their lead when a delightful Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the winning team. After failing to overcome any opponent who finished above them last season, the manager's side now have successes against the Gunners and United to put them in a favorable position after nine games.