It was a tale of two team-talks as Manchester City were gifted a second derby win in as many weeks against Manchester United in the Women's FA Cup thanks to three howlers from the home defence.
After City secured Women's Super League bragging rights a fortnight ago, these sides were back in action in the FA Cup and both managers agreed before the game that it was a tie more suited to a semi-final or final than in the fourth round.
By full time, United's defending had seen them throw away a golden opportunity to reclaim the bragging rights and win a first major trophy.
After the WSL defeat, United boss Skinner challenged his players to be more aggressive in their individual battles, and take the game to City more. He made three changes to that side, bringing back Leah Galton, Jackie Groenen and Martha Thomas, and the attacking trio made an impact immediately. He had told City exactly what to prepare for, but the Blues had no answer for it.
With United on the front foot early on, Maria Thorisdottir headed over at the back post before Ella Toone forced a smart save from Ellie Roebuck to tip the ball over. Form the resulting corner another dangerous Katie Zelem set piece evaded everyone and curled in at the back post to give United a 12th minute lead.
Read more on how the game unfolded:
In the match programme, Zelem had hit back at social media chatter that United players were not committed enough as they were being friendly with their City counterparts at full time two weeks ago.
Between that game and this one, 12 players across both teams were on England duty, with more on international duties with their various nations.
Many women's players are friends from youth and international level, she said, arguing: "It's a shame to read stuff like that on social media. The commitment of this whole group is unbelievable.
"No matter how some of the results have gone, I can assure you the commitment in this group is as high as it could possibly be."
There was no doubting the attitude of United as they looked like a team with a point to prove in the first half, and they were comfortable until the break - barring one fierce Lucy Bronze shot that flew narrowly wide.
Gareth Taylor relished these back-to-back derbies to show where City were at as a team after a frustrating, injury-hit season. He was encouraged by the WSL win, where his side dominated but needed a Caroline Weir wonder goal to seal an important three points. Here, though, City undid all the good work and allowed United to set the tempo and win the midfield battle.
Taylor clearly saw that was the issue, and he responded decisively at half time, bringing on derby specialist Weir and winger Hayley Raso. Both were involved immediately, with Weir starting a move that ended with Raso testing Mary Earps, before Georgia Stanway freed Raso to send in a perfect cross for Lauren Hemp to side-foot home five minutes into the second period.
Whatever Taylor said at half time worked, and City were soon ahead. An awful header back to her goalkeeper from One Batlle gave Ellen White the freedom of Leigh, and she sat Earps down before slotting into an empty goal.
If that was a gift, the third two minutes later was even more calamitous from United. Weir turned and shot in the area, with Earps allowing the shot to squeeze under her at the near post. In 15 minutes, City had gone from comfortably second best to having complete control.
When Earps couldn't control substitute Julie Blaksted's shot, Bunny Shaw had the easiest tap in for her first touch and City's fourth.
For the Blues, this is perfect preparation for their Continental Cup final against Chelsea next week. They won't be gifted goals against Emma Hayes' side as they were here, but the clinical second half will give them much-needed momentum to carry into that trip to Wimbledon.
The cup dream lives on to try and ensure they do win at least one bit of silverware this season, and they recorded first win in five trips to this part of Greater Manchester.
United will be at a loss to explain how a controlled and composed first half turned into a disaster after the break.
They showed they are capable of bettering City, but this will be an even more disappointing defeat than the league reverse as United had victory in their sights but threw it away inexplicably.
