Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the headline‑making moments from the most recent Women’s Super League fixtures, drawing readers into the narratives that shape the women’s game today. Manchester City entered the weekend on the brink of sealing the title, a scenario that could have materialised as early as Wednesday. If Arsenal had stumbled against Leicester – an outcome that seemed remote but not impossible – City’s points cushion would have become unassailable with only a handful of matches left. That hypothetical has now evaporated, and the celebratory atmosphere surrounding a potential early triumph has been replaced by uncertainty.
The shock loss to Brighton over the weekend has reopened the race. Chelsea and Arsenal both now possess the mathematical ability to match City’s current total of 49 points. In reality, Sonia Bompastor’s Blues are unlikely to overtake the Citizens because of an inferior goal difference, but the Gunners remain very much in contention. What was previously described as a one‑per‑cent chance for a title upset has swollen to roughly five per cent, and this shift has occurred without Arsenal even stepping onto the pitch.
Regular followers of Hunter’s column will recall her early February prediction that the trophy would be handed over symbolically; the accuracy of that forecast is now being questioned. Even so, it would still take a monumental collapse for City to see the crown slip away. 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 the free‑role proved decisive in a stunning 3‑2 defeat, underscoring how a single player can tilt a game. Andree Jeglertz’s side now require a minimum of five points from their remaining fixtures to clinch the league, and they cannot guarantee victory until the final day as long as Arsenal win their games in hand.
This uncertainty does not appear to rattle Jeglertz, but it does serve as a reminder that Renee Slegers’ United have suffered only one defeat this term – at the hands of City. Any further slip‑ups are likely to be costly.
City’s upcoming schedule is demanding: they host Liverpool, travel to West Ham, and have an FA Cup semi‑final against Chelsea sandwiched in between. None of those matches are easy, especially after a defeat that saw them surrender a winning position for the first time this season. The loss to Brighton highlighted a lack of cohesion after a 19‑day international break, during which City created seven clear‑cut chances yet failed to convert any of them. The fixture calendar has been both a blessing and a curse for the Citizens.
The absence of European commitments has reduced fatigue and allowed them to focus on the domestic league, yet the irregular gaps between games have sometimes disrupted their rhythm. City have built a squad designed to endure three‑game weeks, but the uneven spacing of matches this season has tested that depth. Despite the setback, panic is premature.
City have been dominant for the bulk of the 2025/26 campaign and merit the championship on the basis of consistency that no other side has matched. Nonetheless, they can no longer treat the title as a foregone conclusion. Players such as Alex Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp will be keenly aware that a single misstep could see their hard‑earned lead evaporate, recalling the heart‑break of missing out on the 2023/24 title to Chelsea on goal difference. Meanwhile, Manchester United endured an equally disappointing weekend, not because they lost their match – a goalless draw with Tottenham – but because the result exposed a deeper loss of momentum.
Once viewed as the likely second‑place finisher behind City, United now appear to be sliding out of the top‑three race altogether. Marc Skinner’s side have managed only one win in their last eight outings across all competitions. Scoring has dried up, and overall performance levels have nosedived. The question arises: is this slump a symptom of the limited size of Skinner’s squad compared with rivals, or are other factors at play?
United have failed to secure a victory against any of the current top‑five teams, including Spurs, while City, Arsenal and Chelsea are averaging roughly 1.5 points per game. This disparity suggests a quality gap that United have yet to bridge. Even the return of Ella Toone from injury 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) tally of 2.58 versus United’s 0.47 – a whitewash. United required 56 minutes to register a shot on target, whereas Spurs recorded more than double the number of touches inside the opposition box (42 to 20).
Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce emerged as United’s saviour in that encounter. For Skinner, the pressure is mounting. As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, his position is perpetually under scrutiny given the high expectations attached to the United badge. One poor result can ignite talk of his future, and recent criticism has been largely self‑inflicted.
Skinner himself has acknowledged that the team’s performances since the FA Cup loss to Chelsea and the subsequent League Cup final defeat have been sub‑par. The squad appears to have run out of steam after trying to juggle a maiden Champions League campaign with domestic obligations.
In response, Skinner announced on Sunday that changes will be made over the summer. With another year left on his contract, the nature of those changes remains uncertain – they could involve tactical tweaks, player recruitment, or even a reshuffle of the coaching staff. Only time will reveal whether the adjustments will revive United’s fortunes or signal a deeper transition. In summary, the weekend has left both Manchester clubs at a crossroads.
City must regroup, sharpen their focus, and navigate a congested fixture list while protecting a fragile lead. United, on the other hand, need to rediscover their attacking spark and find consistency if they hope to remain in contention for a top‑three finish. The upcoming weeks will be decisive, and fans of both sides will be watching closely to see how the narratives evolve.