Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the headline‑making moments from the most recent Women's Super League fixtures, drawing readers into the pivotal narratives shaping the women's game today. Manchester City appeared poised to clinch the title as early as Wednesday, potentially sealing the championship without needing to play another match. The scenario hinged on Arsenal slipping up against Leicester – a highly unlikely but mathematically possible outcome. Had that happened, City’s lead would have become insurmountable with only a handful of games left.
That hypothetical, however, has now vanished. The celebratory atmosphere surrounding City’s title party has been frozen in place. The shock defeat to Brighton over the weekend has reopened the race. Both Chelsea and Arsenal now have the mathematical ability to match City’s current points total of 49.
In practice, Sonia Bompastor’s Blues are effectively out of the hunt because their goal‑difference deficit is too great, but the Gunners remain very much in contention. What was once described as a one‑percent chance for City to lose the crown has swelled to roughly five percent, and that increase has occurred without Arsenal even stepping onto the pitch. Regular followers of this column will recall my February prediction that the trophy would be handed over symbolically long before the season’s end – a forecast that now feels perhaps premature.
Even so, it would still be a tall order for the dominant City side to see the title 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 her free‑roaming role proved decisive in a stunning 3‑2 loss, highlighting how a single player’s creativity can tilt a game.
Andree Jeglertz’s squad now needs a minimum of five points from their remaining fixtures to lock the championship, and as long as Arsenal win the games they have in hand, the title cannot be decided until the final round. Jeglertz seems unfazed by the pressure; he reminds us that his side, under Renee Slegers, has suffered only one defeat this term – that loss to 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 squeezed in between.
None of those fixtures are easy, especially after a loss that came after City had been in control for much of the match. It marks the first occasion this season that City have surrendered points after leading. Captain Alex Greenwood reflected on the Brighton game, noting how her team responded positively to setbacks throughout the campaign, even though this particular loss “hurts because we were in control.” City generated seven clear‑cut chances against Brighton yet failed to convert any, a testament to a lack of cohesion after a 19‑day break for international duty. The fixture calendar has been both a blessing and a curse for City.
The absence of European commitments has reduced fatigue, allowing the squad to focus on domestic matches, yet the irregular rhythm of back‑to‑back games has sometimes disrupted their flow. City’s roster was deliberately assembled to withstand the rigours of three‑game weeks, but the long gaps between fixtures have also meant periods of rust.
Despite the recent stumble, panic is premature. City have been exceptionally consistent throughout the 2025/26 season and deserve the championship on the basis of a level of performance that no other side has matched. Yet they cannot take the title for granted; the fear of stumbling at the final hurdle looms large for players such as Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp, who still recall the anguish of missing out on the 2023/24 title to Chelsea on goal difference.
Could history repeat itself? The prospect is unsettling, but City still possess the quality to avoid that fate. Meanwhile, Manchester United emerged as the other major disappointment of match‑week 20.
Their problem was not a loss – they settled for a goalless draw with Tottenham – but a loss of momentum. Once viewed as the likely second‑place team behind their city rivals, United now appear to be fighting for a top‑three finish. Marc Skinner’s side have managed just one win in their last eight matches across all competitions. Scoring has dried up, and overall performance has plummeted.
The question arises: is this slump a symptom of the limited depth of Skinner’s squad compared with the league’s elite, or are there other factors at play? United have yet to beat any of the current top‑five teams, a group that includes Spurs, City, Arsenal and Chelsea, all of whom are averaging about 1.5 points per game. This suggests a quality gap that United struggle to bridge, even with the return of Ella Toone from injury.
Spurs displayed worrying trends of their own. Their attacking metrics were dominated by Martin Ho’s side, with an expected‑goals (xG) total of 2.58 compared to United’s 0.47 – a virtual whitewash. United required 56 minutes to register a single shot on target, while Spurs recorded more than double the number of touches inside the box (42 versus 20).
Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce was United’s saviour, making crucial saves to keep the scoreline level. What does all this mean for Skinner?
As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, he is constantly under scrutiny, given the high expectations attached to the Manchester United badge. One poor result can ignite a chorus of criticism and speculation about his future.
Yet some of the recent negativity is self‑inflicted; Skinner himself has admitted that the team’s performances since the FA Cup loss to Chelsea and the subsequent League Cup final defeat have been inadequate. 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 that his contract still has a year left. Whether those adjustments involve new signings, tactical tweaks, or perhaps a change in his own role remains to be seen.
In summary, both Manchester clubs face pivotal moments. City must recover quickly to safeguard a title that seems within reach but is now far from guaranteed.
United, on the other hand, must rediscover the initiative that saw them challenge for a top‑three finish earlier in the season. The next few weeks will be decisive for both teams as they navigate a congested schedule, the pressure of expectation, and the ever‑present threat of rivals closing the gap.