Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the major talking points from the most recent Women’s Super League fixtures, drawing readers closer to the pivotal narratives shaping the women’s game. Manchester City seemed poised to clinch the championship as early as Wednesday, potentially sealing the title without needing another match. If Arsenal had stumbled against Leicester – an unlikely but conceivable scenario – City’s lead could have become untouchable with only a handful of games left.
That hypothetical has now vanished, leaving City’s title celebrations on hold. 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 tally of 49.
While Sonia Bompastor’s Blues are effectively out of contention due to an inferior goal‑difference, the Gunners remain very much in the hunt. What was once framed as a one‑percent chance for a title upset before the weekend has swollen to roughly five percent, even though Arsenal has not yet taken the field.
Regular followers of this column will recall my early‑season prediction that the trophy might change hands as soon 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 match, "We’re happy to keep the title race alive a little longer." Kirby’s brilliance in a free‑role proved decisive in a stunning 3‑2 defeat. Andree Jeglertz’s squad now needs at least five points to keep the title within reach, and as long as Arsenal win their games in hand, the championship cannot be secured before the final matchday. Jeglertz appears unfazed by this reality, but it serves as a reminder that Renee Slegers’ United have suffered only a single loss this term – that loss coming at the hands of City.
Any further slip‑ups are likely to be costly. City’s upcoming schedule features 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 these fixtures are easy, especially after a defeat that came after City had the game in hand for much of the first half.
It marks the first occasion this season that City have dropped points from a winning position. Captain Alex Greenwood offered a measured post‑match assessment, highlighting how the team has responded positively to setbacks throughout the campaign.
She admitted the Brighton loss stung because "we were in control," noting that City generated seven clear‑cut chances yet failed to convert any. The lack of cohesion was evident, as the squad had not trained together for 19 days following the international break. The fixture calendar has been both a blessing and a curse for City. On one hand, the absence of European commitments has reduced fatigue and allowed the team to focus on domestic duties.
On the other, irregular gaps between matches have sometimes disrupted rhythm, especially during weeks with three games. City’s roster was built to endure such demanding periods, yet the uneven spacing has occasionally hindered momentum.
Despite the setback, panic is premature. City have been exceptional for the bulk of the 2025/26 season and merit the title based on a consistency that no rival has matched.
However, they can no longer take the trophy for granted. Players such as Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp will be keenly aware that a single misstep could see their dream evaporate, recalling the heartbreak of missing out on the title to Chelsea on goal‑difference in 2023/24. Could history repeat itself?
Manchester United experienced an equally disappointing weekend in matchweek 20, not because they lost their game – a goalless draw with Tottenham – but because they have lost any sense of forward momentum. Once considered strong contenders for second place behind city rivals, United now appear destined to finish outside the top three.
Marc Skinner’s side have managed just one win in their last eight matches across all competitions. Scoring has dried up, and performance levels have plummeted. The question arises: is this decline a symptom of the limited depth within Skinner’s squad, or are 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 a long injury layoff could not spark the needed revival. Spurs displayed some worrying trends of their own. Their offensive metrics were dominated by Martin Ho’s side, with an expected‑goals (xG) disparity of 2.58 to 0.47.
United did not register a shot on target until the 56th minute, while Spurs logged 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?
As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, he is perpetually under scrutiny, given the expectations attached to the United badge. A single poor result can ignite talk of pressure and potential dismissal.
Nevertheless, some of the criticism is self‑inflicted. Skinner himself acknowledges that results since the FA Cup loss to Chelsea, followed by the League Cup final defeat, have been insufficient. The squad appears to have run out of steam after attempting to juggle 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 a year left on his contract.
Whether those changes involve personnel, tactics or even his own position remains to be seen. In summary, both Manchester clubs find themselves at a crossroads. City must regroup quickly, regain their scoring touch, and navigate a challenging final stretch if they hope to secure the title they have largely earned.
United, on the other hand, need to rediscover the initiative that once made them genuine title challengers, perhaps by bolstering their squad depth and reigniting the attacking spark that has gone missing. The weeks ahead will be decisive for both teams as the season races toward its climax.