Manchester City Three Goals to Nil Man United: Lauren Hemp scores in City stroll.

Just as Storm Claudia tore through the northern region the previous evening, Manchester City swept the visitors away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a emphatic three goal triumph for their manager's side owing to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that clearly signaled their title credentials as they consolidated their place at the top of the table.

Consecutive Setbacks for Manchester United

This result signalled successive WSL losses for Marc Skinner’s side for the maiden instance since last May, leaving them a sizable gap off the league leaders with their trophy ambitions hanging by a thread.

The Red Devils' capability to manage league and European football with a limited roster has been a frequently analyzed issue since they earned a place in the Champions League. Considering the schedule, it always seemed this was the matchday that would truly test this fortitude. Unfortunately for the away side, they seemed tired all game, the landmark win against PSG clearly having taken a toll.

Lineup Adjustments

The United manager had sought to freshen things up with a a few alterations. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all provided energy, although the dropping of the on-form Melvine Malard to the bench raised a few eyebrows.

Manchester City, in contrast, have fewer workload issues. The City coach made a single alteration from last week’s win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her initial starting appearance since recovering from a physical setback.

Commanding Opening Period

The trouble started to accumulate for the United boss and his side from the kickoff. This was a exhibition of the power from City whose potent attack controlled and tore United open with a excellent opening period display that saw them put three past the keeper in just over twenty minutes.

This left the home team in a commanding position and had Manchester United struggling. Prior to this match, the away side had conceded just few in this domestic competition but they disintegrated in the face of the hosts' attacking flair.

Opening Threats

The warning signs came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to push Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, using the space left by Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her passes were posing a threat and led to an opportunity for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had several attacks forward, their direct style giving them options in the wide areas but they could not test Ayaka Yamashita. City, on the other hand, controlled the ball, taunting their rivals and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Goals Galore

They made their pressure count with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A ball to the far post was directed across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's 7th header of the season.

They increased their lead with another pair of goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was able to advance through the middle from the back, the field became spacious for City. The key Casparij collected the pass on the right before providing a accurate low cross for Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a third after a swift change in possession saw Lauren Hemp afforded the opportunity to fire a shot home from distance.

Second Half

The most obvious change came from the United manager at the half-time as Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was futile to alter the outcome of the match. Former City player Park came most likely to score, rattling the post, but the visitors were lacking in ideas and failed to register a solitary shot on target.

The home side, in contrast, could have increased their cushion when a superb Miedema pass sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it mattered little to the hosts. Previously unable to overcome any side who finished above them the previous campaign, the manager's side now have successes against the Gunners and United to put them in a strong situation after nine matches.