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Similar to Storm Claudia tore through the north-west the night before, Manchester City swept Manchester United aside at the their home ground. It was a statement three goal triumph for their manager's side owing to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that clearly signaled their title credentials as they reinforced their position at the top of the table.

Back-to-Back Losses for United

This scoreline represented back-to-back Women's Super League setbacks for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, leaving them a sizable gap off the table toppers with their trophy ambitions in serious doubt.

Manchester United's capacity to balance domestic and European football with a thin roster has been a widely debated issue since they earned a place in the Champions League. Reviewing the fixture list, it always seemed this was the week that would fully examine this fortitude. Regrettably for the away side, they seemed tired from start to finish, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having had an impact.

Team Changes

The United manager had tried to freshen things up with a several alterations. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all added vigor, although the omission of the high-performing Malard to the bench was questioned.

The hosts, in opposition, have no such fitness worries. The City coach made one change from their most recent win over Everton with Hemp making her return to the lineup since returning from a physical setback.

Commanding Opening Period

The storm clouds started to gather for the United boss and his squad from the opening minute. This was a demonstration of the quality from City whose potent attack controlled and dismantled the opposition with a excellent opening period display that saw them score three goals in under half an hour.

This put the hosts in a commanding position and had Manchester United all at sea. Prior to this encounter, United had allowed just a handful in this domestic competition but they collapsed in the presence of City’s creative prowess.

Early Chances

The omens came soon when Miedema used her physicality to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Hemp was at the heart of everything from the start, using the space left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her deliveries were posing a threat and led to an opportunity for Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had multiple forays forwards, their direct style giving them choices in the flanks but they could not challenge Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, meanwhile, dominated possession, teasing their rivals and trying to lure them of their structure.

Scoring Spree

They converted their dominance with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A ball to the far post was headed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to score. It was City’s seventh headed goal of the term.

They increased their advantage with an additional two goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was permitted to maraud through the midfield from the back, the play widened for the hosts. The prominent Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right side before sending a precise ground pass for Bunny Shaw to tap home. Four minutes later, they had a additional score after a rapid turnover in the ball saw Hemp allowed the room to strike a effort home from range.

Second Half

The primary substitution came from the United manager at the interval as Malard came on for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to shift the momentum of the game. Ex- Manchester City player Jess Park came most likely to score, rattling the upright, but the visitors were creatively abject and were unable to register a solitary shot on goal.

The hosts, on the other hand, could have added to their advantage when a delightful Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the hosts. Having failed to beat any opponent who ended above them the previous campaign, City's side now have successes against the Gunners and United to put them in a commanding position after the opening fixtures.