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 today. Manchester City entered the weekend on the brink of clinching the title. Had Arsenal faltered against Leicester—a scenario that seemed remote but technically possible—City’s lead could have become unassailable with only a handful of matches remaining.
That hypothetical has now vanished, and the celebration that seemed inevitable has been put on hold. The shock loss to Brighton over the weekend has reopened the race. Both Chelsea and Arsenal now have a mathematical route to match City’s current points tally of 49. In practice, Chelsea, under Sonia Bompastor, are unlikely to overtake the champions because of an inferior goal‑difference, but Arsenal remain very much in contention.
What was once described as a one‑percent chance for the Gunners has risen to roughly five percent, even before they have taken to the pitch this week. Regular followers of this column will recall the early-season prediction that the trophy would be handed over in February; perhaps that forecast was premature. Even with the setback, it would still be a tall order for City to lose the crown outright.
As Fran Kirby quipped after the Brighton defeat, "We’re happy to keep the title race going a little longer." Kirby’s creativity in a free‑role proved decisive in the 3‑2 upset, highlighting how a single player’s brilliance can swing a match. Andree Jeglertz’s side now requires at least five points from their remaining games to secure the championship, and they cannot guarantee the title until the final matchday, provided Arsenal win their games in hand.
Jeglertz appears unfazed by the pressure, but he is reminded that his side has only suffered one defeat this season—a loss 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 between. None of these encounters are easy wins; the pressure is high and the momentum has been dented by a defeat that could have been settled in the first half.
It marks the first occasion this season that City have dropped points after leading a match. Captain Alex Greenwood offered a measured post‑match assessment, emphasizing the team’s resilience despite the disappointment of conceding a goal they felt they should have prevented. City created seven clear‑cut chances against Brighton but failed to convert any, a shortfall that may be linked to the 19‑day break after the international window, which disrupted their rhythm. The schedule has been both a blessing and a curse for City.
The absence of European fixtures has reduced fatigue, allowing the squad to focus on domestic duties, yet the irregular spacing of matches has sometimes broken their momentum. City’s roster was built to endure three‑game weeks, but the season has also featured long gaps that can affect sharpness.
Despite the recent stumble, panic is premature. City have been dominant for the majority of the 2025/26 campaign and deserve the championship on the basis of consistency that no other side has matched.
However, they cannot take the title for granted. Players such as Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp will be keen to avoid a repeat of the heartbreak they endured last season when Chelsea edged them out on goal difference. 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 signaled a loss of initiative.
Once considered strong contenders for second place behind City, United now face an uphill battle to finish in the top three. Marc Skinner’s side have secured only one win in their last eight fixtures across all competitions. Scoring has dried up, and overall performances have plummeted. The question arises whether this decline reflects the limited depth of Skinner’s squad compared with rivals, or whether other factors—such as fixture congestion and injuries—are to blame.
United have yet to beat any of the current top‑five teams, a group that includes Spurs, City, Arsenal and Chelsea, all of which are averaging around 1.5 points per game. This statistic suggests a quality gap that United have struggled to bridge. Even the return of Ella Toone from a long injury layoff failed to spark the needed revival.
Spurs displayed concerning trends of their own. Their attacking 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 logged more than twice as many touches inside the box (42 versus 20). Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce emerged as United’s saviour on the day.
For Skinner, the pressure is relentless. As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, his position is constantly under scrutiny, and a single poor result can reignite talks of his job security. Yet some of the criticism is self‑inflicted.
Skinner has openly admitted that the team’s form since losing to Chelsea in the FA Cup and then again in the League Cup final has been insufficient. Balancing a debut Champions League campaign with domestic obligations appears to have drained the squad’s energy. "We have to make some changes over the summer," Skinner said, noting that he has one year left on his contract. Whether those changes involve tactical tweaks, personnel adjustments, or even a change in management remains to be seen.
In summary, both Manchester clubs find themselves at a crossroads. City must rediscover the clinical edge that carried them through most of the season if they are to secure the title, while United need to reignite their attacking spark and tighten up defensively to climb back into the top three. The next few weeks will be decisive, and the outcomes will shape the narrative of the WSL for the remainder of the campaign.