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Just as the recent storm hit the northern region the previous evening, Manchester City blew United aside at the their home ground. It was a convincing 3-0 victory for the City coach's side due to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Hemp. It was a performance that clearly signaled their title credentials as they consolidated their standing at the league summit.

Successive Defeats for Manchester United

This scoreline signalled consecutive league setbacks for the United manager's side for the initial occasion since last May, placing them seven points off the table toppers with their trophy ambitions in serious doubt.

The Red Devils' capacity to manage domestic and continental football with a limited squad has been a hotly discussed issue since they secured entry to the Champions League. Looking at the calendar, it always felt like this was the matchday that would truly test this capability. Sadly for the away side, they seemed tired throughout, the landmark win against Paris Saint-Germain clearly having taken a toll.

Tactical Shifts

The United manager had sought to freshen things up with a handful of adjustments. Ella Toone, Terland, Dominique Janssen and Galton all added vigor, although the exclusion of the on-form Melvine Malard to the substitutes caused surprise.

The hosts, in contrast, have no similar fitness concerns. The City coach made one change from the previous win over Everton with Hemp making her first start since returning from injury.

Commanding Opening Period

The storm clouds started to build for the United boss and his team from the kickoff. This was a exhibition of the strength from City whose energetic offense manipulated and tore United open with a sublime first half performance that saw them put three past the keeper in under half an hour.

This left the home team completely dominant and had Manchester United all at sea. Before this encounter, the away side had let in just a handful in this domestic competition but they fell apart in the presence of City’s offensive ingenuity.

Early Chances

The early indicators came quickly when Miedema used her power to bundle Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot wide. Lauren Hemp was at the center of everything early on, taking advantage of the gap left by Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her passes were creating danger and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg cleared off the line.

The Red Devils had a number of sorties forward, their long-ball tactic giving them choices in the wide areas but they could not trouble Yamashita. Manchester City, in the meantime, controlled possession, taunting their rivals and trying to pull them out of their organization.

Scoring Spree

They converted their dominance with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A cross to the far post was headed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to head in. It was Manchester City's 7th headed goal of the season.

They increased their lead with another pair of goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was permitted to advance through the midfield from central defence, the field widened for the hosts. The prominent Casparij collected the pass on the right side before providing a pinpoint driven ball for Bunny Shaw to bundle home. Shortly later, they had a third goal after a rapid shift in the ball saw Hemp allowed the space to fire a shot home from distance.

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 change the course of the game. Ex- Manchester City player Jess Park came nearest, rattling the post, but the away team were lacking in ideas and did not manage to produce a single shot on target.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have added to their advantage when a delightful Vivianne Miedema pass sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it was insignificant to the hosts. Having failed to beat any team who placed above them last season, the manager's side now have successes against the Gunners and Manchester United to position them in a commanding position after the opening fixtures.