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Much like Storm Claudia tore through the northern region the night before, the home side overwhelmed Manchester United away at the their home ground. It was a emphatic three-nil win for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that firmly established their title credentials as they strengthened their position at the top of the table.

Back-to-Back Defeats for United

This outcome signalled successive WSL losses for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, placing them a sizable gap off the table toppers with their championship aspirations severely dented.

United’s ability to manage league and continental football with a thin roster has been a hotly discussed subject since they secured entry to the UCL. Reviewing the schedule, it always felt like this was the week that would seriously challenge this fortitude. Regrettably for the visitors, they appeared tired all game, the landmark win against the French side clearly having had an impact.

Tactical Shifts

Marc Skinner had sought to rotate the squad with a several changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all provided freshness, although the exclusion of the in-form Melvine Malard to the sidelines was questioned.

City, in opposition, have no similar fitness worries. Jeglertz made a single alteration from last week’s win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her first start since healing from a physical setback.

Overpowering Start

The storm clouds started to gather for the United boss and his team from the first whistle. This was a demonstration of the strength from City whose potent offense manipulated and dismantled the opposition with a sublime initial 45 minutes performance that saw them put three past the keeper in under half an hour.

This put the hosts in a commanding position and saw the visitors disorganized. Prior to this match, United had allowed just few in this domestic competition but they disintegrated in the presence of the hosts' creative prowess.

Early Chances

The early indicators came early when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything from the start, using the room left by Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her passes were posing a threat and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had multiple forays forwards, their long-ball tactic giving them options in the wings but they could not trouble Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, on the other hand, controlled possession, taunting their rivals and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Triple Strike

They made their pressure count with almost thirty minutes 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 score. It was City’s seventh goal from a cross of the term.

They increased their cushion with an additional two goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was permitted to maraud through the midfield from the back, the field opened up for City. The key Kerstin Casparij received possession on the wing before delivering a pinpoint low cross for Bunny Shaw to force home. Shortly later, they had a third after a swift shift in possession saw Lauren Hemp given the space to drive a attempt home from outside the box.

Second Half

The most obvious adjustment came from the United manager at the break as Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was futile to change the course of the match. Ex- City player Jess Park came closest, striking the post, but the visitors were offensively poor and did not manage to record a one shot on target.

The home side, on the other hand, could have added to their lead when a delightful Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the hosts. Having failed to beat any side who finished above them in the prior term, Jeglertz’s side now have successes against Arsenal and United to put them in a strong situation after nine matches.