🔗 Share this article

Just as bad weather swept through the north-west the night before, the home side blew United aside at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement three goal win for their manager's side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that firmly established their leadership claims as they strengthened their standing at the top of the table.

Back-to-Back Losses for United

This outcome represented back-to-back league losses for Skinner's side for the initial occasion since last May, putting them seven points off the league leaders with their title hopes hanging by a thread.

United’s ability to juggle domestic and European soccer with a small team has been a widely debated topic since they earned a place in the UCL. Reviewing the calendar, it always seemed this was the period that would fully examine this capability. Regrettably for the opposition, they seemed weary all game, the landmark win against PSG clearly having had an impact.

Lineup Adjustments

Skinner had tried to rotate the squad with a a few adjustments. Ella Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all brought energy, although the exclusion of the on-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes was questioned.

City, in comparison, have no similar workload worries. The City coach made one adjustment from the previous win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her first start since healing from injury.

Commanding Opening Period

The pressure started to gather for Skinner and his side from the first whistle. This was a show of the strength from City whose energetic attack manipulated and dismantled the opposition with a excellent opening period performance that saw them put three past the keeper in just over twenty minutes.

This left the home team firmly in control and saw the visitors all at sea. Before this encounter, the away side had allowed just few in this domestic competition but they fell apart in the wake of City’s creative prowess.

Early Chances

The omens came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her power to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot off target. Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, exploiting the space left by Jayde Riviere down United’s wing. Her deliveries were creating danger and led to an attempt for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of sorties forward, their direct style giving them options in the flanks but they could not trouble Yamashita. City, on the other hand, commanded possession, probing their rivals and trying to lure them of their organization.

Scoring Spree

They converted their dominance with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the hosts a corner. A delivery to the far post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's 7th header of the campaign.

They increased their cushion with two more goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was permitted to drive through the center from defense, the pitch became spacious for the hosts. The key Kerstin Casparij received possession on the wing before sending a accurate ground pass for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. Shortly later, they had a third after a quick shift in the ball saw Lauren Hemp afforded the opportunity to strike a shot home from range.

Second Half

The clearest adjustment came from Skinner at the interval as Melvine Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to shift the momentum of the game. Ex- City player Jess Park came nearest, striking the post, but the away team were creatively abject and were unable to produce a one shot on goal.

The hosts, in contrast, could have added to their cushion when a delightful Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the winning team. After failing to beat any opponent who ended above them last season, Jeglertz’s side now have successes against Arsenal and Manchester United to place them in a commanding situation after the opening fixtures.