Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the most pressing issues emerging from the latest Women's Super League fixtures, drawing readers closer to the pivotal narratives shaping the women’s game. Manchester City appeared 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 seemed 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 been erased from the table. The celebration that seemed inevitable has been put on hold. The shock defeat 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, although Sonia Bompastor’s Blues are effectively out of contention because of an inferior goal‑difference. Arsenal, on the other hand, remain very much in the mix. What was once described as a one‑per‑cent chance for a title‑snatching upset has swollen to roughly five per cent, even though Arsenal have not yet taken to the pitch this week. Regular followers of this column will recall my early‑season prediction that the trophy would be handed over symbolically as soon as February.
In hindsight, that may have been premature. Even so, it would still require a remarkable collapse for Manchester City 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 was the decisive factor in a stunning 3‑2 loss for City, highlighting how a single player’s creativity can tip the balance. Andree Jeglertz’s side now need a minimum of five points from their remaining fixtures to force the title decision to the final day, and that can only happen if Arsenal win the games they have in hand. Jeglertz seems unfazed by the pressure; he simply reminds us that his side have suffered only one defeat this season – that loss to City.
Any additional slip‑ups could prove 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 saw them surrender a winning position – a first for the club this campaign.
The loss was particularly painful because City dominated early, creating seven clear‑cut chances against Brighton but failing to convert any of them, a sign that the squad had not yet gelled after a 19‑day international break. The fixture schedule has been both a blessing and a curse for City. The absence of European commitments has reduced fatigue and allowed them to focus on the domestic league, yet the irregular spacing of games has sometimes disrupted their rhythm.
Their squad was assembled to endure three‑game weeks, but the long gaps between matches have also tested their consistency. Despite the setback, there is no need for panic. City have been spectacular for the bulk of the 2025/26 season and deserve the championship on the basis of a consistency that no other side has matched. However, they can no longer take the title for granted.
Players such as captain Alex Greenwood, forward Bunny Shaw and prolific striker Lauren Hemp will be keen to avoid a repeat of the heart‑break they endured in 2023/24 when Chelsea edged them out on goal difference. That memory still lingers, and the prospect of another narrow miss is a source of anxiety for the club. Manchester United, meanwhile, were the other major sufferers of match‑week 20.
Their disappointment did not stem from a loss – they secured a goalless draw against Tottenham – but from a deeper loss of momentum. Once considered genuine contenders for second place behind their city rivals, United now find themselves drifting away from 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. The question arises: is this decline a reflection of the limited depth in Skinner’s squad compared with the league’s heavyweight clubs, or are there 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 around 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 was insufficient to reignite the attack.
Spurs, on the other hand, displayed a dominant offensive display. Their expected‑goals (xG) metric was a stark 2.58 to United’s 0.47, a whitewash that underscores the disparity.
United did not register a shot on target until the 56th minute, while Spurs recorded more than double the number of touches inside the opponent’s box (42 versus 20). Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce emerged as United’s saviour, keeping them in the game despite the on‑field struggles.
What does this mean for Skinner? As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, he is constantly under scrutiny, especially given the high expectations attached to the Manchester United badge.
One poor result can ignite talk of pressure and potential dismissal. Nevertheless, some of the criticism is self‑inflicted. Skinner himself has acknowledged that the results since the FA Cup loss to Chelsea, followed by a League Cup final defeat, have been far from satisfactory.
The squad appears to have run out of steam after trying to juggle a debut Champions League campaign with domestic obligations. "We have to make some changes over the summer," Skinner admitted, noting that his contract still has a year left.
Whether those adjustments will involve personnel, tactics, or perhaps even his own role remains to be seen. In summary, both Manchester clubs face pivotal crossroads. City must rediscover the clinical edge that saw them dominate most of the season, while United need to reignite their attacking spark and find a way to compete with the league’s elite.
The coming weeks will be decisive, and the outcomes will shape the narrative of the Women’s Super League for the remainder of the campaign.