Laura Hunter, the Sky Sports columnist, breaks down the major talking points from the most recent Women’s Super League fixtures, giving readers a deeper look at the narratives shaping the women’s game. Manchester City seemed poised to clinch the title as early as Wednesday, potentially sealing the championship without needing another match. If Arsenal had stumbled against Leicester—a scenario that, while unlikely, was still conceivable—City’s lead could have become unassailable with only a handful of games left.
That hypothetical, however, has now vanished, and City’s celebration is on hold. The shock loss to Brighton over the weekend reopened the race.
Both Chelsea and Arsenal now have the mathematical ability to match City’s current points tally of 49. Chelsea, under Sonia Bompastor, are realistically out of contention because their goal‑difference deficit is too great, but Arsenal remain very much in the mix. What was once described as a one‑percent chance of a title upset has risen to roughly five percent, even before Arsenal have taken the field again.
Regular followers of this column will recall the symbolic hand‑over of the trophy that I suggested as early as February; perhaps that early prediction was premature. City’s dominance is still evident, yet losing the title from this position would be a massive blow. As Fran Kirby remarked after Saturday’s match, "We’re happy to keep the title race going for a little bit longer." Kirby’s brilliance in a free‑role position proved decisive in a stunning 3‑2 defeat.
Andree Jeglertz’s side now need at least five points to push the title across the line, and as long as Arsenal win the games they have in hand, the championship cannot be secured until the final matchday. Jeglertz seems unfazed by the pressure, but it is worth noting that his team, led by Renee Slegers, has suffered only one defeat this season—a loss to City. Any further slip‑ups are likely to be costly.
City’s upcoming schedule includes a home game against Liverpool followed by an away fixture at West Ham, with an FA Cup semi‑final against Chelsea sandwiched in between. None of these matches are easy, especially after a defeat that came after they had been in control for much of the game. It marked the first occasion this season that City dropped points after leading. Captain Alex Greenwood addressed the post‑match interview with confidence, emphasizing how the squad has consistently bounced back from setbacks throughout the campaign, even when they concede a goal that feels "painful because we were in control." In the Brighton game, City generated seven clear‑cut chances yet failed to convert any, a sign that the team had not yet gelled after a 19‑day break for international duties.
The fixture list has been both a blessing and a curse for City. The lack of European commitments has reduced fatigue, allowing the squad to focus on domestic matches, but the irregular spacing of games has sometimes disrupted their rhythm.
City’s roster was deliberately built to handle the intensity of three‑game weeks, and at times the gaps between fixtures have been substantial, testing the players’ match sharpness. Despite the recent stumble, there is no need for panic. City have been spectacular for the majority of the 2025/26 season and merit the title for a level of consistency that no other side has matched.
However, they can no longer take the trophy for granted. The prospect of falling short at the final hurdle looms large for key figures such as Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp, who still remember the heartbreak of missing out on the 2023/24 title on goal difference to Chelsea. The fear of a repeat is palpable.
Manchester United, the other major disappointment of matchweek 20, did not lose their game—they settled for a goalless draw with Tottenham—but they have lost any sense of momentum. Once considered favourites to finish second behind their city rivals, United now appear to be fighting for a top‑three spot. Marc Skinner’s side have secured just one win in their last eight matches across all competitions.
Their attacking output has dried up and performance levels have plummeted. The question arises whether this slump reflects the limitations of Skinner’s relatively small squad compared with the league’s elite, or whether other factors, such as fixture congestion or injuries, are to blame. United have failed to beat any of the current top‑five teams, a group that includes Spurs, City, Arsenal and Chelsea, all of which are averaging around 1.5 points per game. This suggests a quality gap that United have yet to bridge.
Even the return of Ella Toone from injury on Sunday could not spark a revival. Spurs displayed worrying trends of their own. Their offensive metrics were dominated by Martin Ho’s side, with an expected‑goals (xG) differential of 2.58 to 0.47.
United did not manage a shot on target until the 56th minute, while Spurs recorded more than double the number of touches inside the opponent’s box (42 versus 20). Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce emerged as United’s saviour in that match.
What does this mean for Skinner? As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, he is perpetually under scrutiny, especially given the expectations tied to the United badge.
A single poor result can ignite talk of pressure and potential dismissal. Yet some of the criticism is self‑inflicted; Skinner himself has acknowledged that results since the FA Cup loss to Chelsea—and the subsequent League Cup final defeat—have not met the club’s standards. Balancing a debut Champions League campaign with domestic obligations has clearly taken its toll.
Skinner admitted on Sunday that "we have to make some changes in the summer," noting that his contract still has a year remaining. Whether those changes involve personnel, tactics, or perhaps even his own role remains to be seen. In summary, both Manchester clubs face pivotal moments. City must regroup quickly to protect their title hopes, while United need to rediscover the initiative that once made them contenders for the second spot.
The coming weeks will be decisive for both sides, and the outcomes will shape the narrative of the WSL season as it heads toward its climax.