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 today. Manchester City appeared poised to clinch the title as early as Wednesday, potentially sealing the championship without needing another match. If Arsenal had slipped up against Leicester—a scenario that seemed unlikely but not impossible—City’s lead could have become insurmountable with only a handful of games left. That hypothetical, however, has vanished, and the City celebration is now on hold.
The shock loss to Brighton over the weekend has reopened the race. Both Chelsea and Arsenal now have a mathematical chance to match City’s current points tally of 49, although Chelsea, under Sonia Bompastor, are realistically out of contention due to an inferior goal‑difference. Arsenal, on the other hand, remain very much in the hunt. What was once described as a one‑percent chance for a title swing has now risen to roughly five percent, and Arsenal hasn’t even taken the field yet.
Regular followers of Hunter’s column will recall her early‑season prediction that the trophy would be handed over as soon as February; she now wonders whether that forecast was premature. Even with the setback, it would still be a tall order for the dominant City side to lose the crown entirely.
As Fran Kirby remarked after Saturday’s match, "We’re happy to keep the title race going a little longer," highlighting her own impact in the free‑role that proved decisive in a surprising 3‑2 defeat. Manager Andree Jeglertz’s team now needs at least five points from their remaining fixtures to secure the championship, and as long as Arsenal win their games in hand, the title cannot be decided until the final round.
Jeglertz appears unfazed, reminding readers that his side, led by Renee Slegers, have suffered only one loss this season – that defeat to City – and that any further slip‑ups could prove costly. City’s upcoming schedule is demanding: they host Liverpool, travel to West Ham, and have an FA Cup semi‑final against Chelsea sandwiched in between. None of those matches are easy, especially after a loss that came after they had been in a commanding position for most of the game. It marks the first time this season that City have dropped points after leading, exposing a vulnerability that could be exploited by rivals.
Captain Alex Greenwood spoke candidly after the Brighton game, praising her teammates for their resilience despite the disappointment. She noted that the side created seven clear‑cut chances yet failed to convert any, a shortfall she linked to the lack of match practice following a 19‑day international break.
The congested calendar has been both a blessing and a curse for City. While the absence of European fixtures has reduced fatigue, the irregular rhythm of back‑to‑back games has sometimes disrupted their flow. Nevertheless, City’s roster was built to endure three‑game weeks, and they have benefited from long gaps between fixtures at various points during the campaign. Now is not the moment for panic.
City have been spectacular for the majority of the 2025/26 season and merit the championship for a consistency that no other side has matched. Yet they cannot take the title for granted; the prospect of stumbling at the final hurdle looms large for players like Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp, who still recall the heartache of missing out on the 2023/24 title to Chelsea on goal difference. The fear of a repeat scenario is very real.
Meanwhile, Manchester United endured an equally bleak weekend, not because they lost their match— a goalless draw with Tottenham— but because they have lost momentum. Once considered strong contenders for second place behind City, United now appear to be slipping out of the top three entirely. Marc Skinner’s side have secured only one win in their last eight matches across all competitions, with goals drying up and performances plummeting. The question arises: is this decline a symptom of the limited depth of Skinner’s squad compared with rivals, or are 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, each averaging about 1.5 points per game. This suggests a quality gap that United have struggled to bridge, even with the return of Ella Toone from injury on Sunday, which failed to spark a revival. Spurs displayed worrying trends for United: their attacking metrics dominated the match, with an expected‑goals (xG) total of 2.58 versus United’s 0.47. It took United 56 minutes just to register a shot on target, while Spurs recorded more than double the touches in the opposition box (42 to 20).
United’s goalkeeper, Phallon Tullis‑Joyce, was the only bright spot, keeping the scoreline respectable. What does this mean for Skinner?
As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, his position is perpetually under scrutiny, especially given the expectations attached to the United badge. One poor result can ignite talk of pressure and potential dismissal. Yet some of the criticism is self‑inflicted; Skinner has openly admitted that the team’s form since losing to Chelsea in the FA Cup and then again in the League Cup final has been inadequate.
Balancing a debut Champions League campaign with domestic duties appears to have drained the squad’s energy. Skinner has signalled that changes are imminent, stating, "We have to make some adjustments over the summer." With a year left on his contract, the upcoming offseason could bring significant reshaping of the squad, and perhaps even a change in leadership. Only time will reveal whether those adjustments will involve him stepping aside.
In summary, both Manchester clubs face pivotal moments. City must regroup quickly to protect their title hopes, while United must rediscover the spark that once made them genuine challengers for the upper echelons of the league.
The next few weeks will be decisive for both sides as they navigate a congested fixture list, high‑stakes cup ties, and the ever‑present pressure of a league title that is now far from secured.