🔗 Share this article

Similar to Storm Claudia hit the northern region the previous evening, Manchester City blew United away at the Etihad. It was a convincing three-nil win for their manager's side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a performance that truly announced their title credentials as they strengthened their standing at the WSL pinnacle.

Successive Defeats for Manchester United

This result signalled consecutive WSL losses for Marc Skinner’s side for the first time since last May, leaving them a significant margin off the table toppers with their championship aspirations in serious doubt.

The Red Devils' ability to manage domestic and continental football with a small roster has been a widely debated issue since they secured entry to the UCL. Looking at the fixture list, it always felt like this was the period that would truly test this ability. Sadly for the away side, they looked fatigued from start to finish, the historic win against the French side clearly having taken a toll.

Tactical Shifts

Skinner had sought to rotate the squad with a handful of adjustments. Ella Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all added vigor, although the dropping of the in-form Melvine Malard to the sidelines was questioned.

Manchester City, in opposition, have no similar fitness concerns. Andrée Jeglertz made a single alteration from their most recent win over Everton with Hemp making her first start since healing from a physical setback.

Dominant First Half

The storm clouds started to gather for the United boss and his team from the kickoff. This was a demonstration of the strength from City whose potent attack played with and dismantled the opposition with a excellent initial 45 minutes showing that saw them net a trio in under half an hour.

This put the hosts firmly in control and saw the visitors all at sea. Before this encounter, the away side had conceded just few in this domestic competition but they collapsed in the presence of City’s attacking flair.

Early Chances

The early indicators came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot wide. Hemp was at the heart of everything in the beginning, exploiting the gap left by Riviere down United’s wing. Her deliveries were posing a threat and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had several forays forward, their direct style giving them options in the wings but they could not trouble Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, in the meantime, dominated the ball, probing their opposition and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Triple Strike

They made their pressure count with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A ball to the back post was directed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's seventh goal from a cross of the season.

They added to their lead with two more goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was able to drive through the midfield from central defence, the pitch opened up for the hosts. The prominent Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right before sending a precise low cross for Shaw to bundle home. Shortly later, they had a additional score after a rapid shift in the ball saw Hemp afforded the opportunity to strike a effort home from range.

After the Break

The most obvious change came from Skinner at the interval as Melvine Malard came on for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to alter the outcome of the game. Ex- City player Jess Park came nearest, striking the post, but the away team were creatively abject and failed to produce a solitary shot on goal.

The home side, in contrast, could have added to their advantage when a delightful Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the winning team. After failing to defeat any side who placed above them last season, City's side now have successes against the Gunners and Manchester United to position them in a favorable situation after nine games.