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Much like the recent storm swept through the north-west the prior day, City swept Manchester United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a convincing three goal victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that truly announced their leadership claims as they reinforced their place at the WSL pinnacle.

Consecutive Losses for Manchester United

This result marked consecutive WSL setbacks for Skinner's side for the maiden instance since last May, placing them a significant margin off the league leaders with their trophy ambitions severely dented.

Manchester United's ability to manage league and European football with a thin squad has been a frequently analyzed topic since they qualified for the European competition. Considering the calendar, it always felt like this was the matchday that would truly test this capability. Regrettably for the opposition, they seemed tired from start to finish, the memorable win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having taken a toll.

Tactical Shifts

The United manager had tried to make changes with a a few changes. Ella Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all added vigor, although the omission of the high-performing Malard to the sidelines caused surprise.

City, in contrast, have no similar workload concerns. Jeglertz made a single alteration from the previous win over the Toffees with Hemp making her first start since healing from a fitness issue.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to build for the United boss and his squad from the first whistle. This was a show of the power from Manchester City whose potent attack manipulated and dismantled the opposition with a excellent first half display that saw them net a trio in 21 minutes.

This placed City in a commanding position and had Manchester United all at sea. In advance of this fixture, United had let in just six in this WSL season but they collapsed in the presence of the hosts' creative prowess.

Early Chances

The early indicators came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything early on, taking advantage of the space left by Riviere down United’s wing. Her crosses were creating danger and led to an opportunity for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line.

The Red Devils had several forays forward, their straightforward approach giving them options in the flanks but they could not challenge the City goalkeeper. City, meanwhile, controlled the ball, teasing their opposition and trying to pull them out of their structure.

Triple Strike

They turned chances into goals with almost the first period played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A delivery to the back post was headed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to score. It was City’s 7th headed goal of the campaign.

They added to their lead with another pair of goals just before the interval. When Rose was permitted to advance through the middle from the back, the field opened up for the hosts. The influential Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the wing before delivering a pinpoint driven ball for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a third after a swift change in possession saw Lauren Hemp given the space to fire a shot home from outside the box.

Second Half

The primary adjustment came from Skinner at the half-time as Malard entered for Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the contest. Former Manchester City player Park came nearest, rattling the woodwork, but the visitors were creatively abject and failed to produce a one shot on target.

The home side, meanwhile, could have increased their lead when a delightful Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it was insignificant to the hosts. Previously unable to beat any side who finished above them the previous campaign, Jeglertz’s side now have wins against Arsenal and United to place them in a strong position after nine games.