Laura Hunter, the Sky Sports columnist, breaks down the most pressing storylines emerging from the latest round of Women's Super League fixtures, drawing readers into the pivotal narratives shaping the women's game. Manchester City entered the weekend on the brink of sealing the championship, a scenario that would have seen the title clinched by Wednesday without the need for any further matches.
If Arsenal had stumbled against Leicester—a remote but conceivable outcome—City’s lead could have become unassailable with only a handful of games left on the calendar. That possibility has now evaporated, and the celebratory mood surrounding City’s title party has been put on hold.
The shock defeat 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. While Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea are realistically out of contention because of an inferior goal‑difference, Arsenal remain very much alive. What was previously described as a one‑per‑cent chance for the Gunners to stay in the hunt has swollen to roughly five per cent, even though they have not yet taken the field this week.
Regular followers of Hunter’s column will recall her February prediction that the trophy would be handed over early in the season; she now wonders whether that forecast was premature. Even though it would still be a tall order for City to lose the crown at this stage, the team’s own players have hinted that the battle is far from over. Fran Kirby, who starred in the 3‑2 loss, remarked on Saturday, “We’re happy to keep the title race going for a little bit longer.” Her creativity in a free‑role position proved decisive in a match that could have been settled in the first half had City maintained their early dominance. Andree Jeglertz’s side now require at least five points from their remaining fixtures to secure the title, and they cannot guarantee victory until the final day as long as Arsenal win the games they have in hand.
Jeglertz appears unfazed by the pressure, reminding readers that his side have suffered only one defeat this campaign—a loss to City. Any additional 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 between those league matches.
None of those opponents are easy, especially after a defeat that saw City surrender a winning position for the first time this season. The loss to Brighton was particularly painful because City created seven clear‑cut chances yet failed to convert any, a shortfall that may be linked to the 19‑day break after the international window, during which the squad had limited training together. The calendar has been both a blessing and a curse for City.
On the one hand, the absence of European fixtures has reduced fatigue and allowed the team to focus on domestic competition. On the other hand, long gaps between matches have sometimes disrupted the rhythm that comes from playing week‑in, week‑out. City’s squad was built to endure three‑game weeks, but the irregular spacing of fixtures this season has tested that design.
Despite the setback, there is no reason for City to panic. They have been spectacularly consistent throughout the 2025/26 season and arguably deserve the championship on the basis of that consistency alone.
However, they cannot take the title for granted. Players such as captain Alex Greenwood, forward Bunny Shaw, and prolific striker Lauren Hemp will be keen to avoid the nightmare of losing out on goal‑difference, a fate that haunted them in the 2023/24 campaign when Chelsea edged them out. Meanwhile, Manchester United endured a far less flattering weekend. Their match against Tottenham ended in a goalless draw, but the real issue is the loss of momentum.
United, once viewed as strong contenders for second place behind City, now find themselves drifting away from the top three. Under Marc Skinner, United have won only one of their last eight matches across all competitions. Scoring has dried up, and performance levels have plummeted. The root of United’s decline could be a combination of factors.
Their squad depth is thinner than that of their rivals, which may be exposing them to fatigue as they juggle league, cup, and the inaugural Champions League appearance. Their inability to secure a win against any of the current top‑five sides—including Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea, and City—highlights a possible quality gap. Even the return of Ella Toone from injury could not spark a revival.
Statistically, United’s struggles are stark. Against Spurs, United managed just one shot on target after 56 minutes, while Tottenham recorded 42 touches inside the box compared with United’s 20. The expected‑goals (xG) metric was a whitewash: 2.58 for Tottenham versus 0.47 for United.
Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce was United’s lone bright spot, making several crucial saves. For Skinner, the pressure is mounting. As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, his position is always under scrutiny, especially when the club’s badge carries such weight.
A single poor result can ignite talk of his future. Yet some of the criticism is self‑inflicted; Skinner has openly admitted 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. Looking ahead, Skinner has signalled that changes are needed over the summer.
He has one year left on his contract, and it remains to be seen whether any restructuring will involve him or bring in fresh personnel to rejuvenate the squad. In summary, the weekend has reshaped the landscape for both Manchester clubs. City’s title hopes are alive but fragile, requiring a strong finish and a bit of luck with Arsenal’s results.
United, on the other hand, must rediscover their spark if they hope to climb back into the top three and avoid a season that could be remembered more for its disappointments than its achievements. The next few weeks will be decisive for both teams as they navigate a congested fixture list and the psychological aftermath of recent setbacks.