Laura Hunter, the Sky Sports columnist, breaks down the most pressing issues emerging from the latest Women’s Super League fixtures, giving readers a deeper look at the narratives shaping the women’s game. Manchester City appeared to have the league crown secured by midweek, potentially clinching the title without needing another match.
If Arsenal had stumbled against Leicester – an unlikely but conceivable scenario – City’s points lead would have become insurmountable with only a handful of games left. That hypothetical has now vanished, and the celebratory mood surrounding City’s title party has been frozen in place. The shock loss to Brighton over the weekend has reopened the race.
Both Chelsea and Arsenal now possess the mathematical ability to match City’s current tally of 49 points. While Chelsea, under Sonia Bompastor, are effectively out of contention because of an inferior goal‑difference, Arsenal remain very much in the hunt. What was once described as a one‑percent chance of a title upset before the weekend has now risen to roughly five percent, even though Arsenal have yet to step onto the pitch.
Regular followers of this column will recall the symbolic trophy hand‑over I suggested back in February – perhaps that early prediction was premature. City’s path to the title is still steep, but 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 was the decisive factor in a stunning 3‑2 defeat that left City scrambling. Andree Jeglertz’s side now need at least five points from their remaining fixtures to push the title over the line, and as long as Arsenal win their games in hand, the championship cannot be secured until the final round. Jeglertz seems untroubled by this reality, but the reminder that Renee Slegers’ United have only suffered a single defeat this season – that loss to City – underscores how unforgiving any further slip‑ups could be.
City’s upcoming schedule features a home clash with Liverpool followed by an away trip to West Ham, with an FA Cup semi‑final against Chelsea squeezed in between. None of those matches are easy, especially after a defeat that came after City had the game under control for most of the first half. It marks the first occasion this season that City have dropped points after leading.
Captain Alex Greenwood reflected on the Brighton loss, emphasizing the team’s resilience despite the setback. She noted, “It hurts because we were in control,” after City created seven clear‑cut chances over 90 minutes but failed to convert any.
The lack of cohesion was evident, as the squad had not trained together for 19 days following the international break. The congested calendar has been both a blessing and a curse for City. The absence of European fixtures has reduced fatigue, allowing the squad to focus on domestic duties, yet the irregular rhythm of back‑to‑back games has occasionally disrupted their flow. City’s roster was deliberately built to endure three‑game weeks, but the season has also featured long gaps between matches, testing the team’s ability to maintain intensity.
Despite the recent stumble, panic is premature. City have been dominant for the majority of the 2025/26 campaign and deserve the championship on the basis of a consistency that no other side has matched. Nevertheless, they can no longer treat the title as a foregone conclusion. Players such as Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp will be keenly aware that a single misstep could see their dreams shattered.
The memory of missing out on the 2023/24 title to Chelsea on goal difference still lingers, and the prospect of a repeat scenario is unsettling for the squad. Meanwhile, Manchester United endured a bleak matchweek 20, not because they lost their game – a goalless draw with Tottenham – but because they have seemingly lost any sense of initiative.
Once considered strong contenders for a second‑place finish behind 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.
Goals have dried up, and performance levels have plummeted. The question arises: is this decline a symptom of the limited depth in Skinner’s squad, which is smaller than those of their direct rivals, or are there other factors at play? 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 struggled to bridge. Even the return of Ella Toone from injury on Sunday could not reignite the team’s spark. Spurs displayed worrying trends in their own performance metrics.
Their offensive numbers were dominated by Martin Ho’s side, with an expected‑goals (xG) differential of 2.58 to United’s 0.47. United required 56 minutes just to register a shot on target, while Spurs recorded more than double the number of touches inside the box (42 versus 20).
Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce emerged as United’s saviour during the encounter. What does this mean for Skinner? As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, he is perpetually under scrutiny, especially given the high expectations attached to the United badge. One poor result can trigger a chorus of criticism and speculation about his future.
Skinner must also acknowledge that much of the recent negativity is self‑inflicted. He has openly admitted that the team’s performances since the FA Cup loss to Chelsea, followed by the League Cup final defeat, have not met the required standards. The squad appears to have run out of steam after trying to juggle a debut Champions League campaign with domestic obligations.
“We have to make some changes in the summer,” Skinner, who has one year left on his contract, said on Sunday. Whether those changes will involve tactical adjustments, new signings, or even a reshuffle of the coaching staff remains to be seen, but the pressure is undeniable. In summary, both Manchester clubs face pivotal moments. City must rediscover the clinical edge that has defined their season, while United must find a way to reignite their attacking spark and restore confidence if they hope to salvage a top‑three finish.
The coming weeks will be decisive, and the outcomes will shape the narrative of the WSL title race and the broader ambitions of both clubs.