Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the major talking points from the most recent Women's Super League fixtures, offering readers a deeper look at the stories shaping the women's game today. Manchester City seemed poised to clinch the championship as early as Wednesday, potentially sealing the title without needing another match. If Arsenal had somehow stumbled against Leicester – a scenario that appeared unlikely but not impossible – City’s lead at the summit could have become mathematically insurmountable with only a handful of games left. That hypothetical, however, has now evaporated, and the celebratory mood surrounding City’s title hopes has been put on hold.
The shock loss to Brighton over the weekend has reopened the race, giving both Chelsea and Arsenal a realistic chance of matching City’s current points tally of 49. While Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea are effectively out of contention because of an inferior goal difference, the Gunners remain very much in the mix. What was once described as a one‑percent chance for a title upset has jumped to roughly five percent, even before Arsenal have taken the field again.
Regular readers of this column will recall the symbolic hand‑over of the trophy that I suggested could happen as early as February – perhaps that prediction was 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 on Saturday, "We’re happy to keep the title race going a little longer," underscoring the importance of her creative freedom in a surprising 3‑2 defeat.
Andree Jeglertz’s squad now needs at least five points from their remaining fixtures to keep the title within reach, and as long as Arsenal win the games they have in hand, the championship cannot be secured until the final matchday. Jeglertz seems unfazed by the pressure; he simply reminds everyone that his side, led by Renee Slegers, have suffered only one loss this term – that defeat to City. Any further slip‑ups could prove 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 these fixtures are easy, especially after a defeat that saw them surrender a winning position – the first such lapse of the season. The loss was especially painful because City created seven clear‑cut chances against Brighton but failed to convert any, a sign that the team had not yet fully re‑gelled after a 19‑day international break. The congested calendar has been both a blessing and a curse for City.
On the one hand, the absence of European commitments has spared them the fatigue that rivals often endure, allowing them to focus on domestic fixtures. On the other hand, the irregular spacing of matches has sometimes disrupted their rhythm, particularly during weeks with three games. The squad was deliberately built to handle the rigours of such a schedule, but the gaps between fixtures have been massive at times, testing depth and consistency. Despite the setback, there is no reason for City to panic.
They have been spectacularly consistent throughout most of the 2025/26 campaign 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 is very real for players like Alex Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp, who all remember the heartbreak of missing out on the 2023/24 title to Chelsea on goal difference.
The question now is whether that nightmare can be avoided. Meanwhile, Manchester United have emerged as the other major disappointment of matchweek 20.
Their problem was not a loss – they secured a goalless draw against Tottenham – but a loss of momentum and confidence. Once seen as the likely runners‑up behind their city rivals, United now face an uphill battle to even finish in the top three.
Marc Skinner’s side have managed only one victory in their last eight matches across all competitions. Scoring has dried up, and overall performance levels have plummeted. This decline raises questions about the depth of Skinner’s squad, which is smaller than those of their direct rivals, and whether the dip is a symptom of squad limitations or other external factors such as fixture congestion and injuries. United have yet to win a game against any of the current top‑five teams, a group that includes Tottenham, City, Arsenal and Chelsea, all of which are averaging around 1.5 points per game.
This statistic suggests a quality gap that United have struggled to bridge. Even the return of Ella Toone from injury on Sunday failed to spark a revival. Tottenham’s offensive metrics further highlight United’s woes. The Spurs outclassed United in expected goals (2.58 to 0.47) and dominated possession in the final third, registering 42 touches compared to United’s 20.
It took United a staggering 56 minutes to register a shot on target, while goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce emerged as United’s unlikely saviour. For Skinner, the pressure is mounting. As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, his position is always under scrutiny, especially given the high expectations attached to the United badge.
A single poor result can ignite talk of his future, and recent criticism has largely been self‑inflicted. Skinner openly admits that the team’s results since the FA Cup loss to Chelsea, followed by a League Cup final defeat, have not met the required standard. 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, acknowledging that his contract still has a year left. Whether those changes will involve personnel, tactics or a combination of both remains to be seen, but the next transfer window will be crucial for United’s revival.
In summary, both Manchester clubs face pivotal moments. City must regroup quickly, rediscover their goal‑scoring touch and maintain composure in the remaining fixtures if they wish to secure the title they have dominated for most of the season.
United, on the other hand, need to halt their slide, find a reliable source of goals and re‑establish the confidence that has been eroded over the past eight games. The upcoming weeks will determine whether the weekend’s disappointments become mere blips or the start of a longer-term decline for either side.