🔗 Share this article

Similar to the recent storm hit the north-west the previous evening, the home side swept Manchester United away at the their home ground. It was a emphatic three goal victory for the City coach's side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that clearly signaled their title credentials as they consolidated their position at the WSL pinnacle.

Successive Setbacks for United

This result represented consecutive league losses for Skinner's side for the initial occasion since last May, putting them a significant margin off the top team with their trophy ambitions hanging by a thread.

Manchester United's capability to juggle league and European soccer with a limited roster has been a frequently analyzed subject since they secured entry to the European competition. Reviewing the fixture list, it always appeared this was the period that would truly test this ability. Sadly for the opposition, they looked fatigued from start to finish, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having had an impact.

Tactical Shifts

Marc Skinner had sought to freshen things up with a several adjustments. Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Leah Galton all added vigor, although the omission of the high-performing Malard to the bench was questioned.

The hosts, in comparison, have no similar loading issues. Andrée Jeglertz made one adjustment from the previous win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her initial starting appearance since returning from a physical setback.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to build for Skinner and his squad from the opening minute. This was a demonstration of the strength from City whose dynamic attack controlled and tore United open with a sublime first half performance that saw them put three past the keeper in under half an hour.

This left the home team in a commanding position and left United struggling. In advance of this match, United had conceded just six in this league campaign but they collapsed in the presence of Manchester City's creative prowess.

Initial Opportunities

The early indicators came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to push Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything in the beginning, using the room left by Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her passes were posing a threat and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line.

The Red Devils had several sorties forwards, their straightforward approach giving them choices in the flanks but they could not test Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, meanwhile, dominated possession, teasing their opposition and trying to draw them out of their structure.

Triple Strike

They converted their dominance with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A ball to the back post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was City’s seventh header of the term.

They increased their cushion with an additional two goals just before the half-time. When Jade Rose was permitted to maraud through the middle from central defence, the field widened for City. The key Casparij received possession on the wing before sending a precise driven ball for Shaw to force home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a swift change in the ball saw Lauren Hemp allowed the room to fire a shot home from range.

Second Half

The most obvious substitution came from Skinner at the break as Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the match. Ex- City player Park came closest, striking the post, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and were unable to produce a solitary shot on target.

The home side, on the other hand, could have added to their advantage when a superb Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the hosts. Previously unable to beat any team who placed above them the previous campaign, the manager's side now have victories against Arsenal and United to place them in a commanding standing after nine matches.