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Much like the recent storm tore through the north-west the night before, Manchester City overwhelmed Manchester United aside at the Etihad. It was a statement three goal triumph for their manager's side due to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that truly announced their championship potential as they strengthened their position at the WSL pinnacle.

Consecutive Losses for United

This outcome represented successive Women's Super League defeats for Skinner's side for the first time since last May, leaving them a sizable gap off the top team with their title hopes in serious doubt.

The Red Devils' ability to balance league and European football with a limited team has been a frequently analyzed issue since they earned a place in the European competition. Looking at the fixture list, it always felt like this was the week that would seriously challenge this ability. Sadly for the away side, they seemed tired throughout, the memorable win against the French side clearly having left its mark.

Tactical Shifts

Skinner had sought to rotate the squad with a handful of adjustments. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all added energy, although the exclusion of the on-form Malard to the bench caused surprise.

City, in opposition, have fewer loading issues. Andrée Jeglertz made a single alteration from their most recent win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her initial starting appearance since healing from injury.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to build for the United boss and his side from the kickoff. This was a show of the quality from Manchester City whose potent offense controlled and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime opening period display that saw them put three past the keeper in under half an hour.

This put the hosts firmly in control and saw the visitors disorganized. Prior to this fixture, the away side had let in just few in this league campaign but they collapsed in the wake of the hosts' attacking flair.

Early Chances

The omens came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything from the start, taking advantage of the room left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right side. Her deliveries were posing a threat and led to an opportunity for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had a number of sorties forward, their direct style giving them options in the flanks but they could not test Ayaka Yamashita. City, in the meantime, controlled possession, taunting their opposition and trying to draw them out of their organization.

Goals Galore

They turned chances into goals with almost half an hour played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a corner. A delivery to the far post was nodded across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's seventh goal from a cross of the term.

They increased their lead with another pair of goals just before the half-time. When Jade Rose was able to drive through the middle from the back, the play opened up for City. The influential Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the wing before providing a accurate ground pass for Shaw to force home. A short time later, they had a additional score after a rapid turnover in the ball saw Lauren Hemp afforded the room to fire a attempt home from outside the box.

Second Half

The clearest substitution came from the United manager at the break as Melvine Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to change the course of the game. Former Manchester City player Park came nearest, hitting the woodwork, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and were unable to register a single shot on target.

The hosts, in contrast, could have increased their advantage when a delightful Vivianne Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it did not affect the result to the winning team. Previously unable to overcome any side who finished above them last season, the manager's side now have successes against the Gunners and Manchester United to place them in a strong situation after the opening fixtures.