🔗 Share this article

Similar to the recent storm swept through the north-west the previous evening, Manchester City blew Manchester United away at the Etihad Stadium. It was a emphatic three goal triumph for their manager's side thanks to goals from Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp. It was a performance that firmly established their leadership claims as they consolidated their position at the league summit.

Consecutive Losses for United

This outcome signalled consecutive league defeats for the United manager's side for the first time since May 2024, leaving them seven points off the top team with their title hopes hanging by a thread.

Manchester United's capability to juggle league and European soccer with a small team has been a widely debated issue since they earned a place in the Champions League. Looking at the calendar, it always felt like this was the matchday that would fully examine this fortitude. Unfortunately for the visitors, they appeared weary throughout, the historic win against the French side clearly having had an impact.

Tactical Shifts

Marc Skinner had attempted to rotate the squad with a handful of changes. Ella Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all brought energy, although the dropping of the on-form Melvine Malard to the sidelines raised a few eyebrows.

The hosts, in opposition, have fewer fitness worries. The City coach made one adjustment from last week’s win over the Toffees with Lauren Hemp making her first start since recovering from a fitness issue.

Dominant First Half

The storm clouds started to gather for the United boss and his team from the kickoff. This was a demonstration of the strength from City whose dynamic attack manipulated and pulled the visitors apart with a superb first half showing that saw them net a trio in 21 minutes.

This left the home team completely dominant and saw the visitors all at sea. Prior to this encounter, the away side had allowed just six in this WSL season but they collapsed in the face of the hosts' attacking flair.

Opening Threats

The warning signs came quickly when Vivianne Miedema used her physicality to muscle Julia Zigiotti off the ball, only to drag her shot off target. Hemp was at the heart of everything early on, using the gap left by Riviere down United’s wing. Her passes were causing problems and led to an chance for Yui Hasegawa that Anna Sandberg kicked off the line.

United had several forays ahead, their straightforward approach giving them choices in the wings but they could not trouble the City goalkeeper. City, meanwhile, commanded the ball, taunting their opposition and trying to lure them of their defensive shape.

Triple Strike

They turned chances into goals with almost half an hour played when Fujino won the home team a set-piece. A delivery to the back post was directed across goal by Bunny Shaw for Knaak to nod home. It was Manchester City's 7th headed goal of the term.

They increased their lead with an additional two goals just before the break. When Rose was able to maraud through the middle from defense, the field opened up for the hosts. The influential Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the right side before providing a accurate low cross for Shaw to bundle home. Shortly later, they had a additional score after a rapid change in the ball saw Hemp given the space to strike a shot home from distance.

Final Period

The most obvious adjustment came from the United manager at the break as Malard entered for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was too late to shift the momentum of the contest. Ex- Manchester City player Park came most likely to score, rattling the upright, but the visitors were creatively abject and failed to register a one shot on goal.

The home side, on the other hand, could have added to their cushion when a delightful Miedema through ball sent Bunny Shaw away only for her to fluff her lines but it mattered little to the hosts. Previously unable to overcome any team who placed above them in the prior term, the manager's side now have successes against the Gunners and Manchester United to put them in a strong standing after nine games.