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Just as Storm Claudia tore through the north-west the previous evening, Manchester City swept United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement 3-0 win for their manager's side due to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that firmly established their championship potential as they consolidated their place at the league summit.

Back-to-Back Setbacks for Manchester United

This outcome represented consecutive WSL setbacks for Skinner's side for the first time since last May, placing them a significant margin off the league leaders with their title hopes severely dented.

The Red Devils' capability to balance domestic and European football with a thin roster has been a hotly discussed issue since they earned a place in the European competition. Looking at the fixture list, it always felt like this was the matchday that would seriously challenge this capability. Unfortunately for the visitors, they seemed weary all game, the landmark win against the French side clearly having taken a toll.

Lineup Adjustments

Marc Skinner had tried to freshen things up with a a few changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all added energy, although the dropping of the high-performing Malard to the bench raised a few eyebrows.

The hosts, in opposition, have no similar fitness worries. Jeglertz made one adjustment from the previous win over the Toffees with Hemp making her return to the lineup since returning from a fitness issue.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to accumulate for the United boss and his side from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the power from City whose dynamic forward line manipulated and pulled the visitors apart with a superb initial 45 minutes display that saw them net a trio in just over twenty minutes.

This left the home team in a commanding position and saw the visitors disorganized. Prior to this fixture, the away side had allowed just few in this domestic competition but they disintegrated in the wake of Manchester City's offensive ingenuity.

Early Chances

The omens came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her power to bundle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, taking advantage of the room left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her passes were posing a threat and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of forays forwards, their direct style giving them options in the wings but they could not challenge the City goalkeeper. City, in the meantime, dominated the ball, teasing their opposition and trying to lure them of their structure.

Scoring Spree

They converted their dominance with almost half an hour played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A delivery to the back post was headed across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's 7th header of the season.

They increased their cushion with an additional two goals just before the half-time. When Rose was allowed to drive through the middle from central defence, the field became spacious for the hosts. The prominent Kerstin Casparij received possession on the right before sending a accurate ground pass for Bunny Shaw to force home. A short time later, they had a additional score after a quick shift in the ball saw Hemp given the opportunity to strike a effort home from distance.

After the Break

The primary substitution came from Skinner at the break as Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was futile to shift the momentum of the match. Former City player Jess Park came nearest, hitting the upright, but the visitors were offensively poor and were unable to register a single shot on goal.

The hosts, in contrast, could have added to their advantage when a delightful Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it mattered little to the hosts. Having failed to beat any opponent who placed above them the previous campaign, City's side now have wins against Arsenal and Manchester United to place them in a favorable position after nine matches.