The Citizens Three-Nil Man United: Lauren Hemp scores in City comfortable victory.

Similar to the recent storm hit the north-west the prior day, the home side swept United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a convincing three-nil victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that truly announced their title credentials as they reinforced their place at the league summit.

Back-to-Back Losses for Manchester United

This result signalled successive league losses for the United manager's side for the maiden instance since last May, leaving them seven points off the top team with their trophy ambitions in serious doubt.

Manchester United's capacity to balance domestic and European soccer with a limited squad has been a hotly discussed topic since they qualified for the Champions League. Reviewing the calendar, it always seemed this was the period that would fully examine this fortitude. Unfortunately for the visitors, they seemed fatigued all game, the memorable win against the French side clearly having left its mark.

Lineup Adjustments

The United manager had tried to make changes with a several adjustments. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all added vigor, although the omission of the on-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes was questioned.

The hosts, in opposition, have no similar loading issues. Andrée Jeglertz made a single alteration from last week’s win over Everton with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since returning from a physical setback.

Commanding Opening Period

The storm clouds started to gather for Skinner and his side from the kickoff. This was a show of the power from City whose dynamic offense controlled and tore United open with a excellent initial 45 minutes showing that saw them net a trio in under half an hour.

This left the home team completely dominant and left United disorganized. Prior to this fixture, United had let in just a handful in this WSL season but they collapsed in the presence of the hosts' offensive ingenuity.

Opening Threats

The warning signs came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the core of everything from the start, exploiting the gap left by Riviere down the visitors' right side. Her passes were posing a threat and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Sandberg kicked off the line.

The Red Devils had multiple attacks ahead, their direct style giving them choices in the wings but they could not trouble Ayaka Yamashita. City, on the other hand, controlled the ball, probing their opposition and trying to draw them out of their structure.

Goals Galore

They converted their dominance with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the hosts a corner. A cross to the far post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's 7th goal from a cross of the term.

They extended their advantage with two more goals just before the interval. When Rose was allowed to drive through the midfield from the back, the play opened up for City. The prominent Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the wing before sending a pinpoint driven ball for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. A short time later, they had a third after a quick shift in possession saw Hemp afforded the space to drive a attempt home from range.

Final Period

The clearest substitution came from the United manager at the break as Melvine Malard was introduced for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to change the course of the contest. Ex- City player Park came most likely to score, rattling the woodwork, but the away team were lacking in ideas and did not manage to record a solitary shot on goal.

The home side, on the other hand, could have added to their cushion when a excellent Miedema long ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it did not affect the result to the winning team. Having failed to beat any opponent who ended above them last season, Jeglertz’s side now have victories against the Gunners and United to place them in a favorable position after nine matches.