Laura Hunter, the Sky Sports columnist, 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 appeared poised to clinch the championship as early as Wednesday, potentially sealing the title without needing another match. If Arsenal had faltered against Leicester—a scenario that seemed unlikely but not impossible—City's lead could have become mathematically insurmountable with only a handful of games left. That hypothetical has now vanished, and the celebratory atmosphere surrounding City’s title hopes has turned icy.
The shock loss to Brighton over the weekend reshaped the title picture dramatically. Both Chelsea and Arsenal now possess the theoretical ability to match City’s current points total of 49, although Chelsea, managed by Sonia Bompastor, are realistically out of contention because of an inferior goal‑difference. Arsenal, on the other hand, remain very much in the mix. What was previously described as a one‑percent chance for another challenger has ballooned to roughly five percent, and this shift has occurred without Arsenal even stepping onto the pitch.
Regular followers of this column will recall that I predicted the trophy could be handed over as early as February – a forecast that now feels perhaps premature. Even with the odds stacked against them, it would still be a formidable task for Manchester City to see the crown slip away at this stage.
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 free‑role position proved decisive in a surprising 3‑2 defeat. Andree Jeglertz’s side now require at least five points from their remaining fixtures to push the title over the line, and as long as Arsenal win the games they have in hand, the championship cannot be secured until the final matchday. Jeglertz seems unbothered by this uncertainty, but the reminder that Renee Slegers’ United have suffered only one defeat this season – that loss being to City – underscores how any further slip‑ups could be costly. City’s upcoming schedule features a home game against Liverpool followed by an away trip to West Ham, with an FA Cup semi‑final against Chelsea squeezed in between.
None of these fixtures are easy, especially after a defeat that saw City surrender a winning position for the first time this campaign. The loss was particularly painful because the game could have been decided in the opening half. Captain Alex Greenwood offered a measured post‑match interview, highlighting how the squad has consistently bounced back from setbacks throughout the season. She admitted the Brighton loss “hurts because we were in control,” noting that City created seven clear‑cut chances yet failed to convert any.
The lack of cohesion was evident, likely a side‑effect of the 19‑day break following the international window. The calendar has been both a friend and a foe for City this season. 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 league matches have sometimes disrupted rhythm, especially during weeks with three games.
City’s roster was assembled with depth to endure such congested periods, but the uneven spacing of fixtures has tested that depth at times. Despite the recent stumble, panic is premature. City have been exceptionally dominant for the bulk of the 2025/26 season and merit the title on the basis of consistency that no other side has matched.
Yet they cannot treat the remainder of the campaign as a formality. Players such as Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp will be keenly aware that any lapse could see their championship dreams evaporate. The memory of missing out on the 2023/24 title to Chelsea on goal difference still lingers, and the prospect of a repeat is unsettling.
Turning to Manchester United, the other major disappointment of matchweek 20, the issue is not a loss but a lack of initiative. United were held to a goalless draw by Tottenham, a result that reflects a deeper loss of momentum. Once considered favourites to finish second behind their city rivals, United now appear to be fighting for a top‑three finish.
Marc Skinner’s side have managed just one victory in their last eight matches across all competitions. Scoring has dried up, and overall performance levels have plummeted. The question arises whether this slump reveals the inherent limitations of Skinner’s squad, which is smaller in size compared to direct rivals, or whether external factors such as fixture congestion and injuries are to blame. United have failed to beat any of the current top‑five teams, a group that includes Spurs, City, Arsenal and Chelsea, all of whom average around 1.5 points per game.
This suggests a quality gap that United have yet to bridge. Even the return of Ella Toone from a long injury layoff on Sunday could not spark the needed revival. 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 took 56 minutes to register a shot on target, while Spurs logged more than double the number of touches inside the box (42 versus 20). Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce emerged as United’s saviour in that match.
What does this mean for Skinner? As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, he is constantly under scrutiny, especially given the expectations attached to the United badge. A single poor result can ignite talk of pressure and tension.
Yet much of the recent criticism is self‑inflicted. Skinner has openly acknowledged that results since the FA Cup loss to Chelsea, followed by the League Cup final defeat, have not met the club’s standards. The squad appears to have run out of steam after trying to balance a maiden Champions League campaign with domestic obligations. “We have to make some changes in the summer,” Skinner said on Sunday, noting he still has one year left on his contract.
Whether those adjustments involve personnel, tactics, or perhaps even his own role 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 regain confidence if they hope to finish the campaign in a respectable position. The final weeks promise high drama, and the outcomes will shape the narrative of the WSL for years to come.