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Similar to Storm Claudia swept through the north-west the night before, City blew United away at the Etihad. It was a convincing three goal win for the City coach's side thanks to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that truly announced their championship potential as they consolidated their position at the WSL pinnacle.

Back-to-Back Setbacks for United

This outcome marked consecutive league setbacks for Skinner's side for the initial occasion since last May, putting them a significant margin off the league leaders with their championship aspirations hanging by a thread.

United’s ability to manage league and continental football with a small team has been a hotly discussed topic since they qualified for the UCL. Considering the schedule, it always seemed this was the week that would seriously challenge this fortitude. Sadly for the visitors, they appeared fatigued throughout, the historic win against PSG clearly having taken a toll.

Lineup Adjustments

The United manager had sought to make changes with a a few adjustments. Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all brought vigor, although the omission of the in-form Malard to the substitutes raised a few eyebrows.

The hosts, in comparison, have fewer fitness concerns. The City coach made one change from the previous win over the Toffees with Hemp making her first start since healing from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The storm clouds started to accumulate for Skinner and his squad from the first whistle. This was a exhibition of the strength from City whose dynamic offense manipulated and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime opening period showing that saw them score three goals in under half an hour.

This put the hosts completely dominant and had Manchester United all at sea. Prior to this fixture, United had let in just a handful in this league campaign but they fell apart in the presence of City’s attacking flair.

Early Chances

The omens came early when Vivianne Miedema used her power to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, using the gap left by Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her deliveries were causing problems and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had a number of forays ahead, their straightforward approach giving them alternatives in the wide areas but they could not test the City goalkeeper. City, meanwhile, controlled possession, teasing their opposition and trying to lure them of their structure.

Triple Strike

They made their pressure count with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A cross to the far post was directed across goal by Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was Manchester City's 7th goal from a cross of the season.

They extended their lead with two more goals just before the break. When Rose was able to maraud through the middle from the back, the field opened up for the hosts. The prominent Casparij received possession on the wing before sending a precise low cross for Bunny Shaw to force home. Shortly later, they had a third goal after a quick turnover in the ball saw Hemp allowed the room to strike a shot home from distance.

Second Half

The clearest adjustment came from the United manager at the half-time as Melvine Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to change the course of the match. Ex- Manchester City player Park came most likely to score, striking the upright, but the visitors were offensively poor and were unable to record a one shot on target.

The home side, in contrast, could have added to their lead when a delightful Vivianne Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it mattered little to the hosts. After failing to beat any opponent who finished above them the previous campaign, City's side now have successes against Arsenal and United to put them in a strong standing after the opening fixtures.