🔗 Share this article

Much like bad weather hit the north-west the night before, the home side overwhelmed Manchester United away at the their home ground. It was a emphatic 3-0 victory for Andrée Jeglertz’s side thanks to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a result that clearly signaled their leadership claims as they strengthened their place at the top of the table.

Back-to-Back Setbacks for United

This scoreline represented consecutive Women's Super League losses for Skinner's side for the first time since last May, leaving them seven points off the top team with their title hopes hanging by a thread.

The Red Devils' capability to manage domestic and continental football with a thin squad has been a frequently analyzed subject since they earned a place in the UCL. Reviewing the calendar, it always appeared this was the period that would seriously challenge this capability. Regrettably for the away side, they seemed fatigued throughout, the historic win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having had an impact.

Lineup Adjustments

Marc Skinner had attempted to make changes with a several alterations. Ella Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all brought vigor, although the omission of the in-form Melvine Malard to the bench was questioned.

Manchester City, in opposition, have no such workload worries. The City coach made one change from last week’s win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her return to the lineup since returning from a physical setback.

Commanding Opening Period

The trouble started to build for the United boss and his team from the first whistle. This was a demonstration of the quality from Manchester City whose potent attack played with and pulled the visitors apart with a sublime opening period display that saw them net a trio in just over twenty minutes.

This left the home team in a commanding position and left United disorganized. In advance of this fixture, United had allowed just few in this domestic competition but they disintegrated in the wake of the hosts' creative prowess.

Early Chances

The warning signs came quickly when Miedema used her power to push Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, exploiting the room left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' right side. Her crosses were causing problems and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had multiple sorties forwards, their straightforward approach giving them alternatives in the wings but they could not challenge Yamashita. Manchester City, on the other hand, dominated possession, taunting their rivals and trying to pull them out of their organization.

Goals Galore

They converted their dominance with almost the first period played when Aoba Fujino won the home team a corner. A ball to the far post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was Manchester City's 7th goal from a cross of the season.

They added to their lead with two more goals just before the interval. When Jade Rose was allowed to advance through the center from the back, the field opened up for City. The influential Kerstin Casparij picked the ball up on the right side before providing a precise driven ball for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. Four minutes later, they had a additional score after a quick turnover in possession saw Hemp given the opportunity to strike a effort home from range.

Second Half

The most obvious substitution came from Skinner at the half-time as Melvine Malard was introduced for Terland but by this time it was too late to alter the outcome of the match. Former Manchester City player Park came nearest, striking the post, but the away team were lacking in ideas and were unable to record a solitary shot on goal.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have extended their lead when a delightful Miedema pass sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it did not affect the result to the hosts. Having failed to beat any team who finished above them last season, Jeglertz’s side now have victories against Arsenal and United to position them in a favorable position after the opening fixtures.