Laura Hunter, the Sky Sports columnist, breaks down the headline moments from the most recent Women's Super League fixtures, giving readers a deeper look at the pivotal narratives shaping the women’s game today. Manchester City appeared to be on the brink of clinching the championship as early as Wednesday.
If Arsenal had somehow slipped up against Leicester – an unlikely but theoretically possible scenario – City’s lead at the summit could have become untouchable with only a handful of matches remaining. That hypothetical, however, has now been erased from the equation.
The celebratory atmosphere that seemed to be gathering around City’s title party has been replaced by uncertainty. The shock loss to Brighton over the weekend has opened the door for both Chelsea and Arsenal to mathematically reach City’s current points total of 49.
While Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea are effectively out of the title race because of an inferior goal‑difference, the Gunners remain very much in contention. What was previously described as a one‑percent chance of a title upset before the weekend has now risen to roughly five percent, and Arsenal have not even taken the field yet.
Regular followers of this column will recall the symbolic hand‑over of the trophy that I suggested might happen as early as February – perhaps that prediction was premature. Even so, it would still be a tall order for the dominant City side to see the trophy slip away at this stage. As Fran Kirby remarked after the Brighton defeat, "We’re happy to keep the title race going for a little bit longer." Kirby’s brilliance in a free‑role position proved decisive in a stunning 3‑2 loss, underscoring how much the team relied on her individual quality on the day.
Andree Jeglertz’s side now needs at least five points from their remaining fixtures to seal the championship, and because Arsenal still have games in hand, City cannot guarantee the title until the final matchday. Jeglertz seems unfazed by the pressure; he simply reminds everyone that his side, under the stewardship of Renee Slegers, has only been beaten once this season – that loss came at the hands of City.
Any further slip‑ups could prove costly. Looking ahead, City will host Liverpool before travelling to West Ham for their last two league outings, with an FA Cup semi‑final against Chelsea sandwiched in between. None of those matches are easy wins, especially after a defeat that saw them surrender a lead they could have secured in the first half. It marks the first occasion this season that City have dropped points after being ahead.
Captain Alex Greenwood offered a measured post‑match assessment, highlighting how the squad has consistently responded positively to setbacks throughout the campaign. She admitted that the Brighton loss “hurts because we were in control,” noting that City created seven clear‑cut chances but failed to convert any of them. The lack of cohesion was evident, as the team had not played together for 19 days following the international break. The congested schedule has been both a blessing and a curse for City.
On one hand, the absence of European fixtures has reduced fatigue and allowed the squad to focus on the domestic league. On the other hand, the irregular rhythm of back‑to‑back games has sometimes disrupted their flow. City’s roster was deliberately built to endure three‑game weeks, and at times the gaps between matches have been substantial, giving players ample recovery time but also breaking momentum.
Nevertheless, panic is premature. City have been extraordinarily consistent throughout most of the 2025/26 season and deserve recognition for a level of performance that no other side has matched. Yet they cannot treat the title as a foregone conclusion. The prospect of stumbling at the final hurdle looms large for key figures such as Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp, who all remember the sting of missing out on the championship to Chelsea on goal difference in 2023/24.
The fear that history could repeat itself still haunts them. Meanwhile, Manchester United endured their own disappointment in matchweek 20, not because they lost their game – a hard‑earned 0‑0 draw with Tottenham – but because they appear to have lost all sense of initiative. Once seen as the likely runners‑up behind their cross‑town rivals, United now face an uphill battle to even finish inside the top three.
Marc Skinner’s side have managed only one victory in their last eight matches across all competitions. Their attacking output has dried up, and overall 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 whom are averaging about 1.5 points per game. This suggests a quality gap that United have struggled to bridge. Even the return of Ella Toone from a long injury layoff on Sunday could not reignite the spark the team so desperately needs.
Spurs displayed some worrying trends of their own. All offensive metrics were dominated by Martin Ho’s side, with an expected‑goals (xG) disparity that resembled a whitewash: 2.58 for Spurs versus 0.47 for United. United required 56 minutes just to register a shot on target, while Spurs enjoyed more than double the number of touches inside the opposition box (42 versus 20). Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce emerged as United’s saviour, keeping them in the game despite the on‑field struggles.
What does all this mean for Skinner? As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, his position is never far from scrutiny, especially given the expectations attached to a club of United’s stature.
One poor result can quickly spark talk of pressure and tension. Yet a portion of the recent criticism is self‑inflicted.
Skinner has openly acknowledged that the team’s results since the FA Cup loss to Chelsea, followed by the League Cup final defeat, have been insufficient. The squad appears to have run out of steam after attempting to balance a maiden Champions League campaign with domestic obligations.
Skinner admitted on Sunday that changes will be necessary over the summer, noting that he still has a year left on his current contract. Whether those adjustments involve tactical tweaks, personnel changes, or a shift in training methodology remains to be seen, but the upcoming off‑season will be crucial for United’s revival.
In summary, both Manchester clubs face pivotal crossroads. City must regroup after an unexpected defeat, maintain focus, and secure enough points to keep their title hopes alive while navigating a demanding fixture list that includes a high‑stakes FA Cup semi‑final. United, on the other hand, need to rediscover their attacking spark, close the quality gap with the league’s elite, and perhaps make decisive roster moves to rejuvenate a squad that has struggled to find consistency.
The next few weeks will be decisive for both sides as they strive to finish the season on a high note rather than a lamentable footnote.