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Similar to bad weather swept through the northern region the previous evening, City blew United aside at the Etihad. It was a convincing 3-0 win for the City coach's side thanks to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that truly announced their leadership claims as they reinforced their place at the league summit.

Back-to-Back Setbacks for United

This scoreline represented successive league defeats for the United manager's side for the initial occasion since last May, placing them a significant margin off the league leaders with their trophy ambitions hanging by a thread.

Manchester United's ability to balance domestic and continental football with a small team has been a hotly discussed subject since they qualified for the European competition. Considering the schedule, it always seemed this was the period that would truly test this capability. Regrettably for the visitors, they seemed tired throughout, the historic win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having left its mark.

Team Changes

The United manager had tried to freshen things up with a a few alterations. Ella Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all brought vigor, although the dropping of the high-performing Melvine Malard to the bench caused surprise.

City, in opposition, have fewer fitness concerns. The City coach made one change from the previous win over Everton with Hemp making her first start since healing from a physical setback.

Dominant First Half

The trouble started to build for the United boss and his team from the first whistle. This was a show of the strength from Manchester City whose energetic offense controlled and tore United open with a superb opening period showing that saw them put three past the keeper in 21 minutes.

This left the home team completely dominant and left United all at sea. In advance of this encounter, the away side had conceded just six in this WSL season but they fell apart in the presence of City’s creative prowess.

Early Chances

The omens came soon when Miedema used her strength to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything from the start, taking advantage of the gap left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right flank. Her passes were causing problems and led to an opportunity for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had a number of forays ahead, their long-ball tactic giving them alternatives in the wings but they could not challenge Ayaka Yamashita. City, in the meantime, controlled possession, teasing their opposition and trying to lure them of their structure.

Scoring Spree

They converted their dominance with almost the first period played when Fujino won the home team a corner. A cross to the far post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's 7th headed goal of the campaign.

They extended their advantage with two more goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was permitted to drive through the center from central defence, the play widened for City. The prominent Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right before providing a accurate driven ball for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. Shortly later, they had a additional score after a swift turnover in possession saw Hemp afforded the room to strike a shot home from range.

After the Break

The most obvious change came from the United manager at the half-time as Melvine 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 most likely to score, rattling the woodwork, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and were unable to produce a single shot on goal.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have added to their advantage when a superb Vivianne Miedema pass sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the winning team. Having failed to overcome any team who ended above them last season, City's side now have victories against Arsenal and Manchester United to position them in a favorable position after nine matches.