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Just as the recent storm tore through the north-west the previous evening, City overwhelmed Manchester United aside at the their home ground. It was a statement three-nil win for Andrée Jeglertz’s side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that firmly established their title credentials as they reinforced their standing at the top of the table.

Consecutive Defeats for United

This outcome represented consecutive league setbacks for Marc Skinner’s side for the maiden instance since last May, placing them seven points off the league leaders with their title hopes in serious doubt.

The Red Devils' capacity to manage domestic and European football with a limited roster has been a hotly discussed topic since they earned a place in the European competition. Looking at the fixture list, it always felt like this was the period that would fully examine this capability. Regrettably for the away side, they appeared weary throughout, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having left its mark.

Lineup Adjustments

Marc Skinner had tried to make changes with a handful of alterations. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all provided energy, although the dropping of the high-performing Melvine Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

City, in contrast, have fewer fitness concerns. The City coach made one change from last week’s win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her first start since healing from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The trouble started to gather for the United boss and his side from the kickoff. This was a demonstration of the quality from Manchester City whose potent forward line controlled and dismantled the opposition with a sublime opening period display that saw them put three past the keeper in under half an hour.

This left the home team completely dominant and saw the visitors struggling. Prior to this encounter, the away side had conceded just few in this league campaign but they disintegrated in the face of City’s attacking flair.

Early Chances

The warning signs came quickly when Miedema used her power to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything in the beginning, exploiting the gap left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her deliveries were creating danger and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of attacks forward, their long-ball tactic giving them choices in the flanks but they could not test Yamashita. Manchester City, meanwhile, controlled possession, teasing their opposition and trying to pull them out of their structure.

Goals Galore

They turned chances into goals with almost half an hour played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A cross to the far post was directed across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's seventh goal from a cross of the campaign.

They added to their cushion with two more goals just before the half-time. When Jade Rose was allowed to advance through the middle from central defence, the pitch widened for City. The influential Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right side before delivering a precise low cross for Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a third after a rapid shift in possession saw Hemp allowed the room to fire a attempt home from distance.

After the Break

The most obvious substitution came from the United manager at the interval as Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was too late to change the course of the contest. Former City player Jess Park came nearest, hitting the woodwork, but the away team were creatively abject and were unable to register a one shot on goal.

The home side, on the other hand, could have added to their advantage when a delightful Vivianne Miedema pass 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 in the prior term, the manager's side now have victories against the Gunners and United to position them in a strong situation after the opening fixtures.