Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the most pressing storylines emerging from the latest Women’s Super League fixtures, giving readers a deeper look at the narratives shaping the women’s game today. Manchester City appeared to have the championship all but secured by midweek, with the possibility that a slip by Arsenal against Leicester – however unlikely – could have left City’s lead unassailable with only a handful of matches remaining.
That scenario has now evaporated, and the celebratory mood surrounding City’s title hopes has been put on hold. The shock loss to Brighton over the weekend has reopened the race.
Both Chelsea and Arsenal now have a mathematical route to match City’s current points total of 49. Chelsea, under Sonia Bompastor, are realistically out of contention because their goal‑difference deficit is too large, but Arsenal remain very much in the mix. What was once a one‑percent chance for a title upset before the weekend has now risen to roughly five percent, even though Arsenal have not yet taken the field.
Regular followers of this column will recall the symbolic trophy hand‑over I suggested as early as February – perhaps that premature gesture was a mistake. 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 match, "We’re happy to keep the title race going a little bit longer." Kirby’s brilliance in a free‑role position proved decisive in a stunning 3‑2 defeat, highlighting how a single player’s creativity can tilt a game.
Andree Jeglertz’s side now need at least five points from their remaining fixtures to clinch the title, and as long as Arsenal win the games they have in hand, City cannot guarantee the trophy until the final round. Jeglertz seems untroubled by the pressure; his team has suffered only one loss this season – that defeat to City – and any further slip‑ups are likely to be 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 between.
None of these fixtures are easy, especially after a loss that came after City had been in control for much of the match. It marked the first time this season that City dropped points after leading. Captain Alex Greenwood spoke eloquently after the Brighton game, stressing how her squad has consistently responded positively to setbacks throughout the campaign, even when "this one hurts because we were in control." In that 90‑minute encounter, City produced seven clear‑cut chances but failed to convert any, a testament to a lack of cohesion after a 19‑day break for international duty. The calendar has been both a friend and a foe for City.
The absence of European fixtures has reduced fatigue and allowed the team to focus on the league, yet the irregular spacing of matches has sometimes disrupted their rhythm. City’s roster was built to endure three‑game weeks, but there have been stretches where the gaps between fixtures have been unusually long, testing the squad’s ability to maintain intensity. Despite the recent stumble, panic is premature. City have been exceptionally consistent throughout the 2025/26 season and deserve the championship on the basis of a level of performance that no other side has matched.
However, they can no longer take the title for granted. Players such as Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp will be acutely aware that a single misstep could see their dreams shattered, recalling the heartbreak of missing out on the 2023/24 title on goal difference to Chelsea. Could history repeat itself?
The prospect looms large, and City will need to summon every ounce of focus in the remaining matches. Meanwhile, Manchester United endured a far worse weekend, not because they lost their match – a hard‑earned 0‑0 draw with Tottenham – but because they have completely lost their sense of initiative.
Once considered strong contenders for second place behind their city rivals, United now face an uphill battle to even finish in the top three. Marc Skinner’s side have won only one of their last eight games across all competitions. Scoring has dried up, and performance levels have plummeted. The question arises: is this slump a symptom of the limited depth of Skinner’s squad compared with the league’s elite, or are there 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 around 1.5 points per game. This suggests a quality gap that United have struggled to bridge.
Even the return of Ella Toone from injury could not spark the needed 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 took 56 minutes to register a shot on target, whereas Spurs recorded more than double the number of touches inside the box (42 versus 20).
Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce was United’s lone saviour on the day. What does this mean for Skinner? As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, he is constantly under scrutiny, especially given the expectations attached to the United badge.
One poor result can ignite talk of pressure and tension, and the recent criticism is, in part, self‑inflicted. Skinner openly admitted that the results since the FA Cup loss to Chelsea and the subsequent 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 duties. "We have to make some changes in the summer," Skinner said, noting he still has a year left on his contract.
Whether those changes involve tactical tweaks, new signings, or even a managerial shift remains to be seen. In summary, both Manchester clubs face pivotal moments. City must rediscover the sharpness that saw them dominate most of the season, while United need to reignite the attacking spark that has been missing for weeks.
The final weeks of the WSL will determine whether City can secure yet another title or whether United can climb back into contention for a top‑three finish. The drama is far from over, and fans of both clubs will be watching closely as the race reaches its climax.