Laura Hunter, the Sky Sports columnist, breaks down the most pressing issues emerging from the latest round of Women's Super League fixtures, giving readers a deeper look at the narratives shaping the women's game. Manchester City entered the weekend on the brink of clinching the title. In theory, a win for Arsenal against Leicester could have left City’s lead unassailable, meaning they might have secured the championship without needing another match. That scenario evaporated after a stunning defeat to Brighton, putting the celebratory mood on hold.
The loss to Brighton opened the door for both Chelsea and Arsenal to mathematically catch City’s current point total of 49. While Chelsea, under Sonia Bompastor, are realistically out of the race because of an inferior goal‑difference, Arsenal remain very much in contention. What was once a one‑percent chance of a title shake‑up has now risen to roughly five percent, and Arsenal haven’t even taken the field yet. Regular readers will recall that, back in February, I symbolically handed the trophy to City as a sign of confidence.
In hindsight, that may have been premature. Even though it is still a steep climb for City to lose the crown, the defeat highlighted how fragile their dominance can be.
As Fran Kirby quipped after the match, "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 the 3‑2 upset. Andree Jeglertz’s side now needs at least five points from their remaining games to seal the championship, and as long as Arsenal win their games in hand, the title will not be decided until the final matchday.
Jeglertz appears unfazed, but he is reminded that his side, managed by Renee Slegers, have suffered only one loss this season – that very defeat to City. Any further slip‑ups could prove costly.
Looking ahead, City will host Liverpool before traveling to West Ham for their last two league fixtures, with an FA Cup semi‑final against Chelsea sandwiched in between. None of those matches are easy, especially after a loss that came after City had the game under control for most of the first half.
It marks the first time this season that City have surrendered points from a winning position. Captain Alex Greenwood offered a measured post‑match assessment, praising her teammates for their resilience despite the disappointment. She noted that City created seven clear‑cut chances against Brighton but failed to convert any, a sign that the squad had not yet gelled after a 19‑day international break.
The scheduling quirks of this campaign have been a double‑edged sword for City. On one hand, the absence of European fixtures has reduced fatigue and allowed the team to focus on domestic duties. On the other, the irregular gaps between matches have sometimes disrupted rhythm, especially during weeks with three games.
Nevertheless, City’s roster was built to endure such demanding periods, and the squad has generally coped well with the intense calendar. Now is not the moment for panic.
City have been spectacular for the bulk of the 2025/26 season and deserve the title on the basis of a consistency that no other side has matched. Yet they cannot take the trophy for granted; the pressure will be palpable for players like Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp, who all remember the heartbreak of missing out on the 2023/24 title to Chelsea on goal‑difference. The fear of a repeat scenario lingers.
Manchester United, meanwhile, emerged as the other major disappointment of matchweek 20. Their 0‑0 draw with Tottenham was not a loss on the scoreboard, but it highlighted a deeper loss of momentum. Once seen as the likely runners‑up to City, United now appear to be slipping out of the top‑three race.
Marc Skinner’s side have won just one of their last eight matches across all competitions. Goals have dried up, and performances have nosedived. The question is whether this slump reflects the limitations of a squad that is smaller in depth than their rivals, or whether other factors—such as injuries, fatigue from a busy schedule, or tactical rigidity—are to blame. United have failed to beat any of the current top‑five teams, including Tottenham, who dominate offensive metrics.
Spurs posted an expected‑goals (xG) total of 2.58 compared with United’s meagre 0.47. It took United 56 minutes to register a shot on target, while Tottenham recorded 42 touches inside the box versus United’s 20.
Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce was the lone bright spot for United on the day. Skinner, the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, now finds himself under intense scrutiny. In a league where managerial tenure is often short‑lived, a single poor result can ignite talk of pressure and possible dismissal.
Yet some of the criticism is self‑inflicted. Skinner admits that the team’s form has dipped since the FA Cup loss to Chelsea and the subsequent League Cup final defeat. Balancing a maiden Champions League campaign with domestic obligations has taken its toll. "We have to make some changes in the summer," Skinner said, noting that his contract runs for another year.
Whether those changes involve personnel, tactics, or simply a reset of the squad’s mindset remains to be seen. 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 reignite their attacking spark and find a way to compete with the league’s elite. The next few weeks will be decisive, and fans of both sides will be watching closely to see whether the title race tightens further or if one club can pull away and claim the glory they have chased all season.