Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the headline‑making moments from the latest Women's Super League fixtures, drawing readers into the pivotal narratives shaping the women’s game. Manchester City seemed poised to clinch the title as early as Wednesday, potentially sealing the championship without needing another match. If Arsenal had stumbled against Leicester – an unlikely but conceivable scenario – City’s lead could have become unassailable with only a handful of games remaining.
That hypothetical has now vanished, and the celebratory atmosphere surrounding City’s title party has been replaced by uncertainty. 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 total of 49. Chelsea, under Sonia Bompastor, are realistically out of contention because of an inferior goal‑difference, but Arsenal remain very much in the mix. What was once a one‑per‑cent chance for a title upset has swollen to roughly five per cent, even though Arsenal have not yet taken the field this week. Regular followers of this column will recall the symbolic trophy hand‑over I suggested back in February – perhaps that early declaration was premature.
City’s dominance is still evident, yet losing a match from a winning position for the first time this season is a stark reminder that nothing is guaranteed. As Fran Kirby remarked after the Brighton game, "We’re happy to keep the title race going for a little bit longer," highlighting how her creativity in the free role proved decisive in a 3‑2 upset. Andree Jeglertz’s side now require at least five points from their remaining fixtures to force the title across the line, and they can only clinch it on the final day if Arsenal win their games in hand.
Jeglertz appears unfazed, noting that his side have suffered only a single defeat this term – that loss to City – and any further slip‑ups would be costly. Looking ahead, City will host Liverpool before travelling to West Ham for their last two league outings, with an FA Cup semi‑final against Chelsea sandwiched in between. None of those matches are easy, especially after a defeat that could have been settled in the first half. The Brighton loss marks the first occasion City have surrendered points after leading, exposing a vulnerability that opponents will be eager to exploit.
Captain Alex Greenwood addressed the post‑match interview with composure, emphasizing how the squad has consistently bounced back from setbacks throughout the campaign. She admitted the Brighton defeat stung because "we were in control," yet pointed out that City generated seven clear‑cut chances during the 90 minutes and failed to convert any. The lack of cohesion was evident, as the team had not trained together for 19 days following the international break. The fixture schedule has been both a blessing and a curse for City this season.
On one hand, the absence of European commitments has reduced fatigue and allowed the squad to focus on domestic duties. On the other, irregular gaps between matches have disrupted rhythm, especially during periods of back‑to‑back games. City’s roster was deliberately built to endure three‑game weeks, but the uneven spacing of fixtures has sometimes left the players either over‑prepared or under‑stimulated.
Despite the recent hiccup, panic is premature. City have been exceptionally consistent throughout the 2025/26 campaign, and their record merits the championship title. However, they cannot take the trophy for granted.
The spectre of falling short – a nightmare that haunted Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp when they missed out on the title to Chelsea on goal difference in 2023/24 – still looms. The question now is whether they can avoid repeating that heart‑break. Manchester United, meanwhile, endured a different kind of disappointment in matchweek 20.
Their 0‑0 draw with Tottenham was not a loss on the scoreboard, but it signalled a loss of momentum. Once considered strong contenders for second place behind city rivals, United now face an uphill battle to even secure a top‑three finish.
Marc Skinner’s side have managed just one victory in their last eight fixtures across all competitions. Scoring has dried up, and overall performance has plummeted. The slump raises concerns about the depth of Skinner’s squad, which is smaller than those of their direct rivals, and whether the decline is due to squad limitations or external pressures such as a congested schedule.
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 roughly 1.5 points per game. This suggests a quality gap that United have struggled to bridge. Even the return of Ella Toone from injury 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 required 56 minutes before registering a shot on target, while Spurs logged more than double the touches in the opposition box (42 versus 20). Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce emerged as United’s saviour, keeping the scoreline level. For Skinner, the pressure is relentless. As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, his position is constantly under scrutiny, especially given the high expectations attached to the United badge.
A single poor result can ignite talk of his job security, and recent criticism has largely been self‑inflicted. Skinner himself admitted that the team’s form since the FA Cup defeat to Chelsea, followed by a League Cup final loss, has been insufficient. The squad appears to have run out of steam after trying to juggle a maiden Champions League campaign with domestic obligations. "We have to make some changes in the summer," Skinner, who has one year left on his contract, declared on Sunday.
Whether those adjustments will involve tactical tweaks, personnel changes, or perhaps a new coaching approach remains to be seen. Only time will reveal if the manager’s own admission of needed change will lead to his departure.
In summary, both Manchester clubs face pivotal crossroads. City must regroup after an unexpected defeat and navigate a tight run‑in to secure the title, while United must rediscover the spark that once made them title‑challengers.
The coming weeks will test depth, resilience, and strategic planning for both sides, and the outcomes will shape the narrative of the WSL’s remainder.