🔗 Share this article

Much like bad weather hit the northern region the previous evening, City swept United away at the their home ground. It was a statement three goal win for their manager's side owing to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that clearly signaled their leadership claims as they strengthened their standing at the WSL pinnacle.

Consecutive Setbacks for United

This result signalled consecutive WSL setbacks for the United manager's side for the first time since last May, putting them seven points off the league leaders with their trophy ambitions hanging by a thread.

Manchester United's capability to juggle league and European football with a thin squad has been a hotly discussed subject since they secured entry to the UCL. Looking at the fixture list, it always appeared this was the week that would truly test this capability. Unfortunately for the opposition, they looked fatigued all game, the historic win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having left its mark.

Tactical Shifts

Marc Skinner had attempted to freshen things up with a several changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all provided energy, although the dropping of the in-form Malard to the substitutes was questioned.

The hosts, in comparison, have no similar workload issues. The City coach made a single alteration from their most recent win over the Toffees with Hemp making her return to the lineup since recovering from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The trouble started to build for the United boss and his side from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the strength from Manchester City whose dynamic forward line played with and dismantled the opposition with a excellent opening period display that saw them net a trio in just over twenty minutes.

This placed City firmly in control and saw the visitors struggling. Before this fixture, the away side had let in just few in this league campaign but they fell apart in the face of City’s offensive ingenuity.

Opening Threats

The warning signs came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything early on, exploiting the space left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' wing. Her passes were posing a threat and led to an attempt for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line.

The Red Devils had multiple forays ahead, their long-ball tactic giving them options in the flanks but they could not test Yamashita. City, on the other hand, dominated the ball, taunting their rivals and trying to pull them out of their structure.

Goals Galore

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

They added to their advantage with two more goals just before the half-time. When Jade Rose was permitted to maraud through the midfield from the back, the field widened for City. The influential Casparij received possession on the wing before delivering a precise driven ball for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. Shortly later, they had a additional score after a rapid shift in possession saw Hemp given the opportunity to drive a attempt home from range.

Final Period

The primary change came from Skinner at the half-time as Melvine Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to alter the outcome of the contest. Former City player Park came closest, rattling the post, but the away team were lacking in ideas and did not manage to register a single shot on goal.

The hosts, on the other hand, could have increased their advantage 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. Previously unable to defeat any opponent who finished above them the previous campaign, City's side now have victories against Arsenal and Manchester United to position them in a favorable standing after the opening fixtures.