Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter 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 today. Manchester City appeared poised to seal the championship as early as Wednesday, potentially clinching the title without needing another match. If Arsenal had slipped up against Leicester—a scenario that seemed unlikely but not impossible—City's lead could have become mathematically unassailable with only a handful of games left. 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 the theoretical ability to match City’s current points tally of 49, although Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea are effectively out of contention because of an inferior goal‑difference.
Arsenal, however, remain very much alive. What was once described as a one‑percent chance of a title upset before the weekend has now risen to roughly five percent, even though Arsenal have not yet taken to the pitch.
Regular followers of this column will recall my early‑season prediction that the trophy might be handed over symbolically as far back as February. In hindsight, that forecast may have been premature. Even so, it would still be a tall order for the dominant City side to see the crown slip away at this stage.
As Fran Kirby quipped after Saturday’s game, "We’re happy to keep the title race going a little bit longer." Kirby’s brilliance in a free‑role was the decisive factor in a stunning 3‑2 defeat. Andree Jeglertz’s squad now needs a minimum of five points from their remaining fixtures to push the title across the finish line, and as long as Arsenal win the games they have in hand, City cannot guarantee victory until the final matchday. Jeglertz seems unfazed by that reality, reminding readers that Renee Slegers’ United have suffered only one defeat this term – at the hands of City – and any further slip‑ups are likely to be costly. City’s upcoming schedule includes a home clash with Liverpool followed by an away trip to West Ham, with an FA Cup semi‑final against Chelsea sandwiched in between.
None of those fixtures are easy, especially after a defeat that came after they had the game in hand early on. It marks the first occasion this season that City have dropped points after leading.
Captain Alex Greenwood offered a measured post‑match interview, highlighting how the team has responded positively to setbacks throughout the campaign. She admitted that the Brighton loss "hurts because we were in control," noting that City created seven clear‑cut chances but failed to convert any.
The lack of cohesion was evident after a 19‑day international break that left the squad without a full training session together. The calendar has been both a blessing and a curse for City. The absence of European commitments has reduced fatigue, yet the irregular spacing of domestic fixtures has sometimes disrupted their rhythm. City’s roster was deliberately built to handle three‑game weeks, but the gaps between matches have been substantial at various points, testing the squad’s ability to maintain intensity.
Despite the setback, there is no cause for panic. City have been spectacular for the bulk of the 2025/26 season and deserve the championship on the basis of a consistency that no other side has matched.
Nevertheless, they cannot take the title for granted. The prospect of stumbling at the final hurdle looms large for key figures such as Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp, who still recall the pain of missing out on goal‑difference to Chelsea in 2023/24.
Could history repeat itself? Manchester United suffered an equally disappointing weekend in matchweek 20, not because they lost their game—a goalless draw with Tottenham—but because they appear to have lost their attacking spark. Once considered strong contenders for a second‑place finish behind city rivals, United now face a genuine struggle to secure a top‑three spot. Marc Skinner’s side have managed just one victory in their last eight outings across all competitions.
Goal production has dried up, and overall performance has plummeted. The question arises: does this slump expose the limitations of a squad that is smaller in depth than its direct rivals, 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 which are averaging about 1.5 points per game. This suggests a quality gap may exist.
Even the return of Ella Toone from injury on Sunday could not reignite the team’s offensive firepower. Spurs displayed worrying 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 did not register a shot on target until the 56th minute, while Spurs enjoyed more than double the number of touches inside the box (42 versus 20).
Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce proved to be United’s saviour on the day. Where does this leave Skinner? The longest‑serving manager in the WSL is never far from scrutiny, given the high expectations attached to the United badge. One poor result can trigger a chorus of criticism and speculation about his future.
Skinner must also recognise that much of the recent criticism is self‑inflicted. He readily admits that results since the FA Cup loss to Chelsea, followed by the League Cup final defeat, have not met the club’s standards. Balancing a maiden Champions League campaign with domestic duties appears to have drained the squad’s energy. "We have to make some changes in the summer," Skinner, who has one year left on his contract, declared on Sunday.
Whether those changes involve tactical tweaks, personnel adjustments, or perhaps even a new managerial direction remains to be seen. In summary, both Manchester clubs face pivotal moments. 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 revive their attacking intent and tighten up defensively to climb back into contention for a top‑three finish.
The coming weeks will be decisive for the fortunes of both sides, and fans will be watching closely to see whether either can overcome the setbacks and finish the campaign on a high note.