🔗 Share this article

Just as Storm Claudia hit the north-west the previous evening, the home side overwhelmed Manchester United away at the Etihad. It was a statement three goal victory for their manager's side thanks to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a display that clearly signaled their leadership claims as they consolidated their place at the top of the table.

Consecutive Defeats for Manchester United

This result represented successive WSL defeats for the United manager's side for the maiden instance since May 2024, leaving them seven points off the top team with their trophy ambitions severely dented.

United’s capability to manage league and European football with a thin roster has been a hotly discussed topic since they qualified for the Champions League. Reviewing the calendar, it always appeared this was the week that would seriously challenge this fortitude. Regrettably for the opposition, they looked weary from start to finish, the memorable win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having had an impact.

Team Changes

Skinner had attempted to make changes with a handful of alterations. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all added freshness, although the dropping of the on-form Melvine Malard to the bench was questioned.

The hosts, in opposition, have no such loading worries. Jeglertz made a single alteration from the previous win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her initial starting appearance since healing from injury.

Overpowering Start

The trouble started to accumulate for Skinner and his team from the first whistle. This was a show of the strength from Manchester City whose potent attack manipulated and dismantled the opposition with a superb initial 45 minutes performance that saw them put three past the keeper in under half an hour.

This put the hosts firmly in control and saw the visitors all at sea. In advance of this fixture, the away side had allowed just few in this WSL season but they collapsed in the presence of City’s creative prowess.

Initial Opportunities

The warning signs came early when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot past the post. Hemp was at the heart of everything in the beginning, taking advantage of the room left by Jayde Riviere down United’s right side. Her passes were causing problems and led to an opportunity for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had multiple attacks ahead, their direct style giving them options in the wings but they could not challenge Yamashita. Manchester City, meanwhile, controlled the ball, taunting their opposition and trying to pull them out of their organization.

Scoring Spree

They turned chances into goals with almost half an hour played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A ball to the back post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's seventh headed goal of the term.

They extended their cushion with two more goals just before the half-time. When Jade Rose was allowed to drive through the midfield from the back, the field became spacious for the hosts. The influential Casparij received possession on the wing before sending a precise low cross for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. Four minutes later, they had a additional score after a quick change in possession saw Hemp allowed the opportunity to drive a effort home from outside the box.

Second Half

The most obvious change came from the United manager at the half-time as Melvine Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was futile to change the course of the contest. Former City player Jess Park came nearest, rattling the upright, but the away team were creatively abject and failed to produce a solitary shot on goal.

The home side, in contrast, could have increased their advantage when a excellent Miedema through ball sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it mattered little to the hosts. Having failed to defeat any opponent who placed above them in the prior term, Jeglertz’s side now have wins against Arsenal and Manchester United to place them in a strong standing after the opening fixtures.