Laura Hunter, the Sky Sports columnist, breaks down the headline‑making moments from the latest Women’s Super League fixtures, drawing readers into the narratives that shape the women’s game. Manchester City appeared poised to clinch the title as early as Wednesday, a scenario that would have required no further matches. If Arsenal had somehow slipped up against Leicester – an unlikely but mathematically possible outcome – City’s lead could have become untouchable with only a handful of games left.
That hypothetical has now vanished, leaving the City celebration on hold. The shock loss to Brighton over the weekend has reopened the race.
Both Chelsea and Arsenal now have the mathematical ability to match City’s current 49 points, although Sonia Bompastor’s Blues are effectively out of contention because of an inferior goal‑difference. Arsenal, however, remain very much in the mix. What was once described as a one‑per‑cent chance of a title upset before the weekend has swelled to roughly five per cent, and Arsenal haven’t even taken the field yet. Regular followers of this column will recall the symbolic trophy hand‑over I suggested back in February.
Perhaps that early proclamation was premature. Even so, it would still be a tall order for the dominant City side to see the crown slip away at this stage. As Fran Kirby quipped after Saturday’s game, "We’re happy to keep the title race going a little longer." Kirby’s brilliance in a free‑role was the decisive factor in a stunning 3‑2 defeat.
Andree Jeglertz’s team now need at least five points to seal the championship, and as long as Arsenal win the games they have in hand, City cannot guarantee the title before the final matchday. Jeglertz seems unfazed; he reminds us that Renee Slegers’ side have suffered only a single defeat this campaign – that loss came at City’s hands. Any further slip‑ups could prove costly. City’s upcoming schedule features a home clash with Liverpool followed by an away game at West Ham, with an FA Cup semi‑final against Chelsea sandwiched in between.
None of these fixtures are easy, especially after a defeat that came after they had the chance to settle the match in the first half. It marks the first time this season City have surrendered points after leading. Captain Alex Greenwood spoke candidly after the Brighton game. She praised her teammates for their resilience despite the disappointment, noting, "It hurts because we were in control." City generated seven clear‑cut chances in that 90‑minute spell but failed to convert any, a sign that the squad had not yet gelled after a 19‑day break for internationals.
The calendar has been both ally and adversary for City throughout the campaign. On the one hand, the lack of European fixtures has spared them the fatigue that many rivals endure; on the other, the irregular spacing of league games has sometimes disrupted their rhythm.
City have built a squad designed to handle three‑game weeks, yet there have been periods this season when the gaps between matches stretched to an extreme. There is no need for panic now.
City have been spectacularly consistent for the bulk of the 2025/26 season and deserve the title on the basis of that consistency alone – a level of steadiness no other side has matched. However, they cannot take the remaining fixtures for granted. Players such as Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp will be keen to avoid a repeat of the heart‑breaking goal‑difference loss to Chelsea in 2023/24. Manchester United, meanwhile, emerged as the other major disappointment of matchweek 20.
Their problem was not a defeat – they settled for a 0‑0 draw with Tottenham – but a complete loss of momentum. Once viewed as the most likely challengers for second place behind City, United now look to be slipping out of the top‑three battle altogether.
Marc Skinner’s side have managed just one win in their last eight outings across all competitions. Goals have dried up, and performances have nosedived. The question arises: is this slump a symptom of the limited depth in Skinner’s squad compared with rivals, or are there other factors at play?
United have yet to beat any of the current top‑five teams, a group that includes Spurs, City, Arsenal and Chelsea, all of whom are averaging roughly 1.5 points per game. This suggests a quality gap that United have struggled to bridge.
Even Ella Toone’s long‑awaited return from injury on Sunday could not spark a revival. Spurs displayed worrying trends of their own. Their attacking metrics were dominated by Martin Ho’s side, with an expected‑goals (xG) tally of 2.58 compared to United’s 0.47 – a virtual whitewash.
United took 56 minutes to register a shot on target, while Spurs logged more than double the touches inside the box (42 versus 20). Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce proved United’s only lifeline. What does all this mean for Skinner? As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, he is perpetually under scrutiny, especially given the expectations attached to the United badge.
One poor result can ignite talk of pressure and possible dismissal. Skinner must also recognise that much of the recent criticism is self‑inflicted.
He openly admits that the results since the FA Cup loss to Chelsea, followed by the League Cup final defeat, have been inadequate. Balancing a debut Champions League campaign with domestic duties has taken its toll, and the squad appears to have run out of steam. "We have to make some changes in the summer," Skinner, who has another year left on his contract, said on Sunday. Whether those changes involve personnel, tactics or a reshuffle of responsibilities remains to be seen, but the upcoming off‑season will be crucial for United’s revival.
In summary, both Manchester clubs face pivotal moments. City must rediscover the clinical edge that saw them dominate most of the season, while United need to reignite their attacking firepower and restore confidence if they hope to finish the campaign in the top three.
The next few weeks will determine whether these giants can turn the tide or watch their ambitions slip away.