🔗 Share this article

Just as Storm Claudia swept through the northwest the night before, City blew Manchester United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a statement three-nil triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a performance that firmly established their title credentials as they consolidated their position at the top of the table.

Back-to-Back Setbacks for United

This result signalled successive league defeats for Marc Skinner’s side for the initial occasion since spring 2024, putting them a significant margin off the table toppers with their championship aspirations in serious doubt.

Manchester United's capability to juggle domestic and European soccer with a thin roster has been a hotly discussed issue since they secured entry to the Champions League. Reviewing the fixture list, it always seemed this was the period that would fully examine this ability. Regrettably for the away side, they looked tired from start to finish, the memorable win against PSG clearly having taken a toll.

Team Changes

The United manager had attempted to rotate the squad with a a few changes. Toone, Elisabeth Terland, Janssen and Leah Galton all added energy, although the dropping of the in-form Malard to the sidelines caused surprise.

The hosts, in contrast, have no such fitness issues. The City coach made one change from their most recent win over Everton with Hemp making her first start since healing from injury.

Dominant First Half

The trouble started to build for Skinner and his squad from the kickoff. This was a demonstration of the power from City whose dynamic attack played with and tore United open with a sublime opening period display that saw them score three goals in 21 minutes.

This placed City firmly in control and had Manchester United all at sea. Before this encounter, the away side had conceded just few in this WSL season but they fell apart in the wake of Manchester City's creative prowess.

Early Chances

The warning signs came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to push Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything in the beginning, exploiting the gap left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her crosses were posing a threat and led to an attempt for Hasegawa that Sandberg cleared off the line.

United had a number of attacks forward, their long-ball tactic giving them alternatives in the flanks but they could not trouble Ayaka Yamashita. Manchester City, meanwhile, dominated the ball, probing their opponents and trying to draw 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 far post was directed across goal by Shaw for Knaak to score. It was City’s 7th header of the campaign.

They added to their advantage with two more goals just before the half-time. When Jade Rose was able to drive through the midfield from central defence, the play became spacious for City. The key Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the wing before delivering a pinpoint low cross for Shaw to force home. Four minutes later, they had a third after a rapid change in possession saw Lauren Hemp afforded the room to strike a shot home from distance.

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 contest. Ex- Manchester City player Park came closest, hitting the upright, but the away team were offensively poor and were unable to produce a solitary shot on goal.

The hosts, meanwhile, could have increased their lead when a excellent Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it did not affect the result to the winning team. Previously unable to overcome any team who ended above them last season, City's side now have successes against the Gunners and United to place them in a strong standing after nine games.