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Similar to bad weather swept through the northwest the night before, City swept Manchester United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a convincing three goal victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that firmly established their championship potential as they consolidated their position at the WSL pinnacle.

Successive Defeats for United

This outcome marked back-to-back WSL setbacks for Marc Skinner’s side for the first time since last May, leaving them a sizable gap off the table toppers with their title hopes in serious doubt.

United’s ability to balance domestic and continental soccer with a limited roster has been a frequently analyzed subject since they earned a place in the UCL. Considering the schedule, it always appeared this was the week that would truly test this fortitude. Regrettably for the opposition, they seemed tired all game, the memorable win against the French side clearly having left its mark.

Tactical Shifts

Marc Skinner had tried to freshen things up with a a few adjustments. Ella Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all provided vigor, although the omission of the on-form Melvine Malard to the bench caused surprise.

Manchester City, in comparison, have no such loading worries. Jeglertz made one change from last week’s win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her first start since returning from a fitness issue.

Commanding Opening Period

The pressure started to build for the United boss and his team from the opening minute. This was a exhibition of the strength from Manchester City whose dynamic forward line played with and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime initial 45 minutes showing that saw them net a trio in just over twenty minutes.

This placed City completely dominant and had Manchester United disorganized. Prior to this encounter, the away side had let in just few in this domestic competition but they fell apart in the wake of Manchester City's attacking flair.

Opening Threats

The omens came soon when Miedema used her physicality to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything in the beginning, exploiting the gap left by Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her deliveries were creating danger and led to an attempt for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had several forays forward, their direct style giving them alternatives in the flanks but they could not trouble Ayaka Yamashita. City, on the other hand, controlled the ball, taunting their rivals and trying to draw them out of their structure.

Triple Strike

They turned chances into goals with almost the first period played when Fujino won the hosts a corner. A cross to the back post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to head in. It was City’s seventh header of the term.

They added to their cushion with an additional two goals just before the half-time. When Jade Rose was allowed to maraud through the midfield from the back, the play widened for City. The prominent Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the wing before delivering a pinpoint driven ball for Bunny Shaw to tap home. Shortly later, they had a additional score after a swift shift in possession saw Hemp afforded the room to fire a attempt home from outside the box.

Final Period

The primary change came from Skinner at the half-time as Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the game. Former Manchester City player Jess Park came nearest, striking the woodwork, but the visitors were creatively abject and did not manage to register a one shot on target.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have extended their cushion when a superb Miedema pass sent Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it mattered little to the hosts. Previously unable to defeat any side who ended above them the previous campaign, City's side now have wins against Arsenal and Manchester United to put them in a commanding standing after nine games.