🔗 Share this article

Similar to bad weather hit the northwest the prior day, the home side blew the visitors aside at the Etihad. It was a statement 3-0 triumph for Andrée Jeglertz’s side due to goals from Knaak, Bunny Shaw and Hemp. It was a result that clearly signaled their championship potential as they strengthened their place at the top of the table.

Back-to-Back Losses for United

This result marked back-to-back WSL losses for the United manager's side for the initial occasion since May 2024, putting them seven points off the table toppers with their championship aspirations in serious doubt.

The Red Devils' capacity to balance domestic and European football with a limited roster has been a widely debated issue since they secured entry to the European competition. Reviewing the fixture list, it always felt like this was the week that would truly test this ability. Sadly for the visitors, they looked tired throughout, the historic win against the French side clearly having had an impact.

Lineup Adjustments

Marc Skinner had tried to make changes with a a few alterations. Toone, Terland, Janssen and Galton all added vigor, although the omission of the high-performing Melvine Malard to the bench raised a few eyebrows.

Manchester City, in opposition, have no similar loading issues. Andrée Jeglertz made a single alteration from the previous win over Everton with Hemp making her first start since returning from a fitness issue.

Overpowering Start

The storm clouds started to build for the United boss and his squad from the kickoff. This was a demonstration of the power from Manchester City whose dynamic attack controlled and dismantled the opposition with a superb opening period showing that saw them net a trio in 21 minutes.

This placed City completely dominant and had Manchester United disorganized. In advance of this match, United had let in just few in this WSL season but they fell apart in the face of City’s attacking flair.

Early Chances

The warning signs came soon when Vivianne Miedema used her strength to muscle Zigiotti off the ball, only to pull her shot past the post. Lauren Hemp was at the heart of everything from the start, taking advantage of the space left by Jayde Riviere down the visitors' right flank. Her crosses were creating danger and led to an chance for Hasegawa that Sandberg scrambled off the line.

United had a number of forays ahead, their direct style giving them alternatives in the flanks but they could not test Yamashita. Manchester City, in the meantime, commanded the ball, probing their opponents and trying to lure them of their structure.

Triple Strike

They converted their dominance with almost thirty minutes played when Fujino won the home team a corner. A ball to the back post was nodded across goal by Bunny Shaw for Rebecca Knaak to score. It was City’s seventh headed goal of the term.

They extended their lead with another pair of goals just before the break. When Jade Rose was able to drive through the middle from central defence, the pitch opened up for City. The prominent Kerstin Casparij collected the pass on the right before delivering a pinpoint low cross for Bunny Shaw to tap home. Shortly later, they had a third after a swift turnover in the ball saw Hemp given the space to strike a shot home from outside the box.

Second Half

The primary adjustment came from Skinner at the half-time as Melvine Malard came on for Elisabeth Terland but by this time it was ineffective to change the course of the match. Ex- City player Park came closest, striking the post, but the away team were offensively poor and failed to record a single shot on target.

The home side, in contrast, could have increased their lead when a delightful Miedema long ball sent Shaw away only for her to fail to convert but it was insignificant to the hosts. Having failed to beat any team who ended above them last season, Jeglertz’s side now have wins against Arsenal and United to put them in a commanding position after the opening fixtures.