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Just as the recent storm hit the north-west the night before, City overwhelmed United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a convincing 3-0 victory for their manager's side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that truly announced their leadership claims as they reinforced their position at the top of the table.

Successive Defeats for United

This outcome represented successive Women's Super League losses for Skinner's side for the first time since last May, leaving them seven points off the league leaders with their championship aspirations in serious doubt.

Manchester United's capacity to juggle league and continental football with a small roster has been a frequently analyzed issue since they earned a place in the Champions League. Reviewing the fixture list, it always seemed this was the week that would truly test this ability. Unfortunately for the opposition, they appeared tired from start to finish, the landmark win against the French side clearly having left its mark.

Tactical Shifts

Skinner had attempted to freshen things up with a several changes. Ella Toone, Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all added vigor, although the omission of the on-form Malard to the sidelines raised a few eyebrows.

The hosts, in opposition, have no similar fitness issues. The City coach made one adjustment from their most recent win over the Toffees with Hemp making her first start since returning from a fitness issue.

Overpowering Start

The trouble started to accumulate for the United boss and his team from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the strength from Manchester City whose potent forward line manipulated and tore United open with a superb opening period performance that saw them net a trio in just over twenty minutes.

This placed City firmly in control and had Manchester United disorganized. Prior to this encounter, the away side had conceded just six in this league campaign but they collapsed in the face of City’s creative prowess.

Initial Opportunities

The omens came early when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything in the beginning, taking advantage of the space left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her crosses were posing a threat and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had a number of attacks forwards, their straightforward approach giving them options in the wings but they could not trouble Yamashita. Manchester City, in the meantime, controlled possession, taunting their rivals and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They converted their dominance with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A ball to the back post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's seventh header of the term.

They increased their advantage with an additional two goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was allowed to maraud through the midfield from the back, the pitch widened for the hosts. The key Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right before providing a pinpoint low cross for Shaw to bundle home. Shortly later, they had a third after a quick turnover in possession saw Hemp given the room to fire a attempt home from distance.

After the Break

The most obvious adjustment came from Skinner at the half-time as Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was futile to change the course of the game. Ex- Manchester City player Park came closest, striking the post, but the visitors were offensively poor and did not manage to register a one shot on target.

The home side, on the other hand, could have increased their advantage when a superb Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it mattered little to the hosts. Previously unable to overcome any team who placed above them in the prior term, City's side now have wins against the Gunners and Manchester United to put them in a strong situation after nine matches.