Laura Hunter, the Sky Sports columnist, breaks down the most pressing storylines emerging from the latest round of Women's Super League fixtures, offering readers a deeper look at the narratives shaping the women's game. Manchester City appeared to be on the brink of sealing the championship as early as Wednesday. If Arsenal had somehow faltered against Leicester – an outcome that seemed unlikely but not impossible – City’s cushion at the summit would have become insurmountable with only a handful of matches left to play. That scenario has now evaporated, and the celebratory atmosphere surrounding a presumed title parade has been replaced by uncertainty.
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 points total of 49.
In practice, Chelsea, under Sonia Bompastor, are effectively out of contention because their goal‑difference deficit would leave them trailing even if they collected every remaining point. Arsenal, however, remain very much in the mix.
What was once a one‑percent chance for a title upset before the weekend has swelled to roughly five percent, and that increase has occurred without Arsenal even stepping onto the pitch. Regular followers of this column will recall the symbolic hand‑over of the trophy that I suggested might happen as early as February.
In hindsight, that prediction may have been premature. City’s dominance is still formidable, and losing the crown at this stage would be a steep climb, but as Fran Kirby quipped after Saturday’s match, “We’re happy to keep the title race going for a little bit longer.” Kirby’s brilliance in a more free‑roaming role proved decisive in a stunning 3‑2 defeat that left City reeling. Andree Jeglertz’s side now needs at least five points from their remaining fixtures to clinch the title, and as long as Arsenal win the games they have in hand, the championship cannot be secured until the final matchday. Jeglertz seems untroubled by the pressure; after all, his side has only suffered a single loss this season – that defeat to City.
Any further slip‑ups could prove costly. City’s upcoming schedule features a home clash with Liverpool followed by an away game at West Ham, with an FA Cup semi‑final against Chelsea sandwiched between the two league fixtures. None of these matches are easy, especially after a loss that came after City had been in control for much of the first half – the first time they have surrendered points from a winning position this campaign.
Captain Alex Greenwood spoke eloquently after the Brighton game, emphasizing the squad’s resilience in the face of setbacks. She noted that the defeat “hurts because we were in control,” highlighting that City generated seven clear‑cut chances but failed to convert any. The lack of cohesion was evident, as the team had not trained together for 19 days following the international break. The season’s fixture list has been both a blessing and a curse for City.
On one hand, the absence of European competition has reduced travel fatigue and allowed the squad to focus on domestic duties. On the other hand, long gaps between matches have occasionally disrupted the team’s rhythm. City’s roster has been built to endure the rigours of three‑game weeks, yet the irregular spacing of fixtures has sometimes left players searching for match sharpness. Despite the recent stumble, there is no cause for panic.
City have been spectacularly consistent throughout the 2025/26 season and deserve the championship on the basis of a level of performance that no other side has matched. However, they can no longer treat the title as a formality. The prospect of watching teammates such as Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp miss out on a trophy because of a single slip‑up is a nightmare they are keen to avoid. The memory of missing out on the 2023/24 title to Chelsea on goal difference still lingers for many of the City players.
The fear that history could repeat itself adds an extra layer of tension to every upcoming match. Meanwhile, Manchester United endured an equally disappointing weekend, not because they lost their match – a hard‑won 0‑0 draw with Tottenham – but because they have seemingly lost their sense of direction. Once viewed as the likely runners‑up behind their city rivals, United now appear to be fighting for a place inside the top three. Marc Skinner’s side have managed just one victory in their last eight competitive outings.
Scoring has dried up, and overall performances have plummeted. The question arises: is this decline a symptom of the squad’s limited depth compared with the league’s elite, 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 around 1.5 points per game. This suggests a quality gap that United have yet to bridge.
Even the return of Ella Toone from injury on Sunday was insufficient to reignite the attack. Spurs, on the other hand, displayed dominant offensive statistics. Their expected goals (xG) tally was a staggering 2.58 compared to United’s 0.47.
United did not register a shot on target until the 56th minute, while Spurs recorded more than double the number of touches inside the opponent’s box (42 versus 20). Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce emerged as United’s saviour during the match. What does this mean for Skinner? In the WSL, the longest‑serving manager is never far from scrutiny, especially when the expectations attached to a club of United’s stature are so high.
A single poor result can ignite talk of pressure and potential dismissal. Skinner must also recognise that much of the criticism aimed at him is self‑inflicted. He has openly admitted that the team’s results since the FA Cup loss to Chelsea, followed by a League Cup final defeat, have been unacceptable.
The squad appears to have run out of steam after attempting to juggle a debut Champions League campaign with domestic obligations. “We have to make some changes in the summer,” Skinner said on Sunday, noting that his contract runs for another year. Whether those changes involve personnel, tactics or a reshaping of the squad’s identity remains to be seen, but the window for decisive action is narrowing.
In summary, both Manchester clubs face pivotal moments. City must rediscover the clinical edge that has defined their season, while United need to revive the attacking spark that once made them genuine title contenders. The next few weeks will determine whether either side can salvage their ambitions or watch their dreams slip further away.