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Just as Storm Claudia tore through the northern region the night before, Manchester City swept Manchester United aside at the their home ground. It was a convincing three-nil triumph for the City coach's side thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a display that truly announced their title credentials as they consolidated their standing at the top of the table.

Consecutive Setbacks for United

This scoreline represented consecutive Women's Super League losses for Skinner's side for the first time since last May, putting them seven points off the league leaders with their title hopes severely dented.

The Red Devils' ability to manage domestic and continental soccer with a thin team has been a frequently analyzed topic since they qualified for the Champions League. Looking at the schedule, it always seemed this was the week that would truly test this fortitude. Unfortunately for the opposition, they appeared fatigued throughout, the landmark win against PSG clearly having taken a toll.

Team Changes

The United manager had attempted to rotate the squad with a handful of adjustments. Ella Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all added energy, although the omission of the on-form Malard to the bench caused surprise.

The hosts, in opposition, have fewer workload worries. Andrée Jeglertz made a single alteration from the previous win over the Toffees with Hemp making her first start since returning from a fitness issue.

Overpowering Start

The pressure started to gather for the United boss and his team from the first whistle. This was a show of the quality from Manchester City whose energetic attack played with and tore United open with a superb first half showing that saw them net a trio in 21 minutes.

This put the hosts firmly in control and left United all at sea. Before this encounter, the away side had allowed just a handful in this domestic competition but they fell apart in the wake of City’s attacking flair.

Initial Opportunities

The omens came soon when Miedema used her power to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to send her shot wide. Hemp was at the center of everything from the start, exploiting the gap left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her deliveries were posing a threat and led to an opportunity for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line.

The Red Devils had several forays forward, their long-ball tactic giving them alternatives in the wide areas but they could not trouble Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, in the meantime, controlled the ball, teasing their rivals and trying to pull them out of their defensive shape.

Triple Strike

They converted their dominance with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the hosts a set-piece. A ball to the back post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was City’s 7th headed goal of the campaign.

They added to their lead with an additional two goals just before the interval. When Rose was allowed to maraud through the center from defense, the field widened for City. The prominent Casparij collected the pass on the right before providing a accurate ground pass for Shaw to tap home. Four minutes later, they had a additional score after a rapid turnover in possession saw Hemp afforded the room to drive a attempt home from distance.

After the Break

The clearest substitution came from Skinner at the interval as Malard came on for Terland but by this time it was too late to change the course of the game. Former City player Park came closest, striking the post, but the away team were offensively poor and failed to record a one shot on target.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have extended their cushion when a excellent Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to miss the chance but it was insignificant to the hosts. Previously unable to defeat any side who finished above them last season, the manager's side now have victories against the Gunners and Manchester United to place them in a favorable position after nine matches.