🔗 Share this article

Similar to Storm Claudia swept through the northern region the night before, the home side overwhelmed the visitors away at the their home ground. 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 firmly established their title credentials as they consolidated their place at the league summit.

Back-to-Back Defeats for United

This outcome marked successive Women's Super League setbacks for Marc Skinner’s side for the initial occasion since last May, putting them seven points off the table toppers with their title hopes severely dented.

The Red Devils' capacity to balance domestic and European football with a limited team has been a frequently analyzed issue since they earned a place in the UCL. Looking at the fixture list, it always seemed this was the week that would seriously challenge this capability. Sadly for the visitors, they seemed fatigued from start to finish, the historic win against PSG clearly having had an impact.

Tactical Shifts

The United manager had attempted to freshen things up with a handful of changes. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all provided freshness, although the exclusion of the in-form Malard to the sidelines caused surprise.

The hosts, in contrast, have no similar loading issues. Jeglertz made one change from the previous win over the Toffees with Hemp making her first start since healing from a physical setback.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to gather for the United boss and his side from the kickoff. This was a demonstration of the strength from City whose potent attack controlled and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime first half performance that saw them put three past the keeper in just over twenty minutes.

This put the hosts firmly in control and saw the visitors all at sea. In advance of this encounter, United had let in just few in this domestic competition but they collapsed in the wake of the hosts' attacking flair.

Early Chances

The warning signs came early when Vivianne Miedema used her power to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot wide. Hemp was at the heart of everything from the start, using the room left by Riviere down United’s right flank. Her deliveries were causing problems and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had several forays forwards, their straightforward approach giving them choices in the wide areas but they could not test the City goalkeeper. Manchester City, in the meantime, controlled the ball, probing their opposition and trying to pull them out of their structure.

Goals Galore

They made their pressure count with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A ball to the back post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to head in. It was City’s 7th headed goal of the campaign.

They added to their lead with an additional two goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was permitted to maraud through the midfield from defense, the field widened for the hosts. The prominent Casparij collected the pass on the wing before sending a precise low cross for Bunny Shaw to force home. A short time later, they had a third goal after a rapid shift in possession saw Lauren Hemp given the room to strike a attempt home from outside the box.

After the Break

The primary change came from Skinner at the break as Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was too late to change the course of the match. Former City player Jess Park came nearest, striking the woodwork, but the away team were lacking in ideas and did not manage to record a one shot on goal.

The hosts, on the other hand, could have extended their cushion when a excellent Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it was insignificant to the hosts. Having failed to defeat any opponent who placed above them last season, the manager's side now have victories against Arsenal and United to put them in a strong standing after the opening fixtures.