Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the most pressing storylines emerging from the latest Women's Super League fixtures, drawing readers into the pivotal narratives shaping the women's game today. Manchester City appeared 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 seemed unlikely but not impossible—City's lead at the summit could have become mathematically unassailable with only a handful of games left. That hypothetical situation has now evaporated, and the celebration that seemed inevitable has been put on hold.
The shock defeat to Brighton over the weekend has reopened the race, giving both Chelsea and Arsenal a realistic shot at matching City’s current points total of 49. While Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea side is effectively out of contention because of an inferior goal‑difference, the Gunners remain very much in the mix. What was once described as a one‑percent chance for a title upset before the weekend has now risen to roughly five percent, and that increase has occurred without Arsenal even stepping onto the pitch. Regular followers of this column will recall my early February prediction that the trophy might be handed over symbolically; perhaps that forecast was premature.
Even so, it would still be a tall order for Manchester City to lose the crown at this stage. As Fran Kirby quipped after Saturday’s match, "We’re happy to keep the title race going a little longer." Kirby’s brilliance in a free‑roaming role proved decisive in a stunning 3‑2 loss, highlighting how a single player can tip the balance in such a tight contest. Andree Jeglertz’s side now needs at least five more points to secure the championship outright, and as long as Arsenal win their games in hand, the title cannot be decided until the final matchday. This reality does not appear to rattle Jeglertz, but it serves as a reminder that Renee Slegers’ United have suffered only one defeat this season—a loss to City.
Any further slip‑ups are likely to be costly. Looking ahead, City will host Liverpool before traveling to West Ham for their last two league fixtures, with an FA Cup semi‑final against Chelsea sandwiched in between.
None of those games 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 occasion this season that City have dropped points after leading, a blow to confidence that could have psychological repercussions. Captain Alex Greenwood spoke candidly after the Brighton game, emphasizing how her squad has consistently bounced back from setbacks throughout the campaign. She admitted that the loss “hurts because we were in control,” noting that City generated seven clear‑cut chances yet failed to convert any of them.
The lack of cohesion was evident, likely a side‑effect of the 19‑day break for international duty, which left the players without the rhythm of regular training and match play. The season’s schedule has been both a blessing and a curse for City.
On one hand, the absence of European fixtures has reduced fatigue and allowed them to focus on domestic competition. On the other, the irregular spacing of matches has sometimes disrupted their momentum, especially during weeks with three games in quick succession. The club’s squad was built to endure such demands, but the gaps between fixtures have been extreme at times, testing the depth and adaptability of the roster. Despite the recent stumble, there is no need for panic.
City have been outstanding for the bulk of the 2025/26 campaign and deserve the championship on the basis of a consistency that no other side has matched. Yet they cannot take the title for granted; the specter of missing out on goal difference, as they did to Chelsea in 2023/24, still looms large.
Players like Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp will be keen to avoid a repeat of that heartbreak. Manchester United, meanwhile, emerged as the other major disappointment of matchweek 20.
Their problem was not a loss— they drew 0‑0 with Tottenham— but a loss of initiative and belief. Once considered strong contenders for second place behind their city rivals, United now appear unlikely to finish in the top three. Marc Skinner’s side have managed just one victory in their last eight matches across all competitions.
Scoring has dried up, and performances have plummeted. The question arises: is this slump a symptom of the limited size of Skinner’s squad compared with the league’s elite, or are other factors at play?
United have failed to beat any of the current top‑five teams, including Spurs, while City, Arsenal and Chelsea are averaging roughly 1.5 points per game—a clear indicator of a quality gap. Even the return of Ella Toone from injury could not spark the needed revival.
Spurs displayed worrying trends of their own. Their attacking metrics were dominated by Martin Ho’s side, with an expected‑goals (xG) differential of 2.58 to 0.47. United struggled to register a shot on target until the 56th minute, while Spurs logged more than double the touches in the opposition box (42 versus 20).
Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce proved to be United’s saviour on the day. Where does this leave Skinner?
As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, his position is always under scrutiny given the high expectations attached to the United badge. One poor result can ignite a chorus of criticism and speculation about his future. Yet some of the recent negativity is self‑inflicted; Skinner himself has admitted that the team’s results since the FA Cup loss to Chelsea, followed by a League Cup final defeat, have been insufficient. The squad appears to have run out of steam after trying to juggle a debut Champions League campaign with domestic obligations.
Skinner has signalled that changes are needed over the summer, stating, "We have to do some changes in the summer." With a year left on his contract, the upcoming transfer window could determine whether he remains at the helm or becomes a casualty of unmet expectations. In summary, both Manchester clubs face pivotal moments. City must rediscover their winning formula and secure enough points to stay ahead of a resurging Arsenal, while United need to reignite their attacking firepower and regain confidence if they hope to climb back into the top tier of the league.
The next few weeks will be decisive, and fans of both sides will be watching closely to see whether the weekend’s setbacks become temporary blips or the start of a longer‑term decline.