🔗 Share this article

Just as Storm Claudia swept through the northern region the previous evening, Manchester City blew Manchester United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a emphatic 3-0 victory for their manager's side owing to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that clearly signaled their leadership claims as they strengthened their place at the league summit.

Consecutive Setbacks for United

This result represented successive league defeats for Skinner's side for the first time since last May, putting them seven points off the top team with their trophy ambitions severely dented.

United’s capacity to juggle league and European soccer with a small team has been a frequently analyzed subject since they earned a place in the Champions League. Looking at the schedule, it always appeared this was the week that would truly test this ability. Regrettably for the opposition, they appeared weary throughout, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having taken a toll.

Lineup Adjustments

Marc Skinner had attempted to freshen things up with a handful of changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Galton all added energy, although the exclusion of the on-form Malard to the substitutes was questioned.

City, in contrast, have no similar fitness concerns. Jeglertz made one adjustment from their most recent win over Everton with Hemp making her first start since recovering from a physical setback.

Commanding Opening Period

The trouble started to gather for Skinner and his side from the opening minute. This was a exhibition of the quality from City whose dynamic attack manipulated and dismantled the opposition with a superb opening period display that saw them net a trio in 21 minutes.

This left the home team firmly in control and left United all at sea. In advance of this encounter, United had let in just a handful in this league campaign but they collapsed in the wake of the hosts' creative prowess.

Early Chances

The warning signs came early when Miedema used her physicality to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything early on, exploiting the room left by Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her deliveries were causing problems and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had multiple attacks forward, their straightforward approach giving them options in the flanks but they could not test the City goalkeeper. City, meanwhile, commanded possession, probing their rivals and trying to draw them out of their structure.

Triple Strike

They made their pressure count with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the hosts a corner. A ball to the back post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was City’s seventh header of the campaign.

They extended their lead with two more goals just before the half-time. When Rose was allowed to drive through the middle from defense, the play became spacious for City. The prominent Casparij picked the ball up on the right side before sending a pinpoint ground pass for Shaw to bundle home. Shortly later, they had a additional score after a swift turnover in possession saw Lauren Hemp given the room to drive a attempt home from outside the box.

After the Break

The clearest substitution came from the United manager at the interval as Malard was introduced for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to change the course of the game. Ex- Manchester City player Jess Park came nearest, rattling the post, but the visitors were offensively poor and failed to record a solitary shot on goal.

The hosts, in contrast, could have increased their lead when a delightful Vivianne Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it mattered little to the hosts. Previously unable to defeat any opponent who placed above them last season, City's side now have wins against Arsenal and United to put them in a strong position after the opening fixtures.