Laura Hunter, a columnist for Sky Sports, breaks down the headline moments from the most recent Women's Super League fixtures, drawing readers into the pivotal narratives shaping the women's game. Manchester City entered the weekend with the league crown seemingly within reach. If Arsenal had stumbled against Leicester – a scenario that, while improbable, was still on the cards – City’s lead could have become mathematically insurmountable with only a handful of matches left.
That hypothetical, however, evaporated after City’s stunning loss to Brighton, putting their celebration on hold. The defeat reshaped the title picture dramatically.
Both Chelsea and Arsenal now possess the mathematical ability to equal City’s current tally of 49 points. In practice, Chelsea’s chances are slim because their goal‑difference deficit is too large, but Arsenal remain very much in the hunt.
What was once described as a one‑percent chance of losing the title before the weekend has now swollen to roughly five percent, and it has happened without Arsenal even taking the field. Regular followers of Hunter’s column will recall her early‑season prediction that the trophy would be handed over to City as early as February – a forecast that now feels premature, perhaps even erroneous.
City’s path to the trophy is still far from impossible, but the margin for error has narrowed. As forward Fran Kirby quipped after the Brighton game, "We’re happy to keep the title race going a little longer," underscoring that her creativity in a free‑role was the decisive factor in a shocking 3‑2 loss.
Manager Andree Jeglertz’s side now require at least five points from their remaining fixtures to clinch the championship, and they can only guarantee the title if Arsenal win all of their games in hand. This reality does not appear to rattle Jeglertz, yet it serves as a reminder that United’s side, who have suffered just one defeat this season – at the hands of City – cannot afford another slip‑up without paying a steep price. Looking ahead, City will host Liverpool before traveling to West Ham for their final two league matches, with an FA Cup semi‑final against Chelsea sandwiched in between.
None of these fixtures are easy, 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 reflected on the Brighton loss, noting how her teammates responded positively to the setback despite the sting of conceding "this one hurts because we were in control." City created seven clear‑cut chances against Brighton but failed to convert any, a shortfall that may be linked to the 19‑day gap following the international break, which disrupted their cohesion. The season’s schedule has been both a blessing and a curse for City. The absence of European commitments has reduced fatigue, allowing the squad to focus on domestic duties, yet the irregular spacing of matches has sometimes broken their rhythm. City’s roster was deliberately built to withstand the demands of three‑game weeks, but the sporadic nature of the calendar has produced long stretches without competitive football, testing the team’s consistency.
Despite the recent stumble, panic is premature. City have been exceptionally dominant for most of the 2025/26 campaign and merit the championship on the basis of a consistency that no rival has matched. Nevertheless, they cannot treat the title as a foregone conclusion.
Players such as Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp will be keen to avoid another heartbreaking finish – a scenario that haunted them when they missed out on the 2023/24 title to Chelsea on goal difference. The fear of a repeat is palpable. Manchester United, meanwhile, emerged as the other major casualty of matchweek 20. Their disappointment was not a loss – they settled for a goalless draw with Tottenham – but a loss of momentum.
Once viewed as strong contenders for second place behind city rivals, United now face an uphill battle to secure a top‑three finish. Marc Skinner’s side have managed only one victory in their last eight outings across all competitions.
Scoring has dried up, and overall performance has plummeted. The question arises: is this decline a symptom of the limited depth in Skinner’s squad compared with the league’s heavyweights, 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, all of whom are averaging about 1.5 points per game. Even the return of Ella Toone from injury failed to reignite United’s attacking spark.
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 required 56 minutes just to register a shot on target, while Spurs enjoyed more than double the touches in the opposition box (42 versus 20). Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce emerged as United’s saviour in that encounter. For Skinner, the pressure is relentless.
As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, his tenure is constantly under the microscope, especially given the expectations attached to the United badge. One poor result can reignite speculation about his future. Yet some of the criticism is self‑inflicted. Skinner himself admitted that the team’s performances since losing to Chelsea in the FA Cup, followed by a League Cup final defeat, have been insufficient.
Balancing a maiden Champions League campaign with domestic duties appears to have drained the squad’s energy. "We have to make some changes in the summer," Skinner said, noting that his contract extends for another year. Whether those adjustments will involve personnel, tactics or a combination of both remains to be seen, but the window for a turnaround is rapidly closing. In summary, both Manchester clubs face pivotal crossroads.
City must rediscover the clinical edge that saw them dominate most of the season, while United need to rekindle the attacking firepower that once made them serious title challengers. The coming weeks will determine whether either side can salvage their ambitions or watch their dreams slip away.