Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the most pressing storylines emerging from the latest Women's Super League fixtures, giving readers a deeper look at the pivotal narratives shaping the women's game today. 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 mathematically untouchable with only a handful of games left.
That possibility has now evaporated, and the celebratory atmosphere surrounding City’s title hopes has turned to uncertainty. The shock loss to Brighton over the weekend has reopened the race. Both Chelsea and Arsenal now possess the theoretical ability to match City’s current points tally of 49, although Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea are effectively out of contention because of an inferior goal‑difference. Arsenal, on the other hand, remain very much in the mix.
What was previously framed as a one‑per‑cent chance for a title upset has ballooned to roughly five per cent, and that shift has occurred without Arsenal even stepping onto the pitch. Regular followers of this column will recall my early February prediction that the trophy would be handed over symbolically well before the season’s final whistle.
In hindsight, that forecast may have been premature. Even so, it would still be a monumental task for a powerhouse like 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 going for a little bit longer." Kirby’s brilliance in a free‑role position proved decisive in a stunning 3‑2 defeat that left City reeling.
Andree Jeglertz’s side now need at least five points from their remaining fixtures to lock the title down, and they can only do so if Arsenal win the games they have in hand. This means the championship cannot be secured until the final round of matches. Jeglertz appears unfazed by the pressure; he reminds us that his side have suffered only a single defeat this campaign – that loss to City – and any further slip‑ups are likely to be costly.
City’s upcoming schedule features a home clash with Liverpool followed by an away game at West Ham, with an FA Cup semi‑final against Chelsea sandwiched in between. None of these fixtures are easy, especially after a defeat that came after City had the chance to seal the win within the first half. It marks the first occasion this season that City have surrendered points after leading. Captain Alex Greenwood offered a measured post‑match assessment, highlighting how her teammates have consistently bounced back from setbacks despite the sting of a game in which they "were in control" but still fell short.
Brighton managed to create seven clear‑cut chances, yet City failed to convert any of them, a shortfall that may be partially explained by the fact that the squad had not trained together for 19 days following the international break. The fixture congestion has been both a blessing and a curse for City throughout the campaign.
On the one hand, the lack of European commitments has allowed them to avoid the fatigue that often plagues teams juggling multiple competitions. On the other hand, the irregular rhythm of back‑to‑back league matches has occasionally disrupted their flow.
City’s roster has been deliberately built to withstand three‑game weeks, but there have been periods where the gaps between matches have been unusually long, affecting match sharpness. Despite the recent stumble, there is no need for panic. City have been spectacularly dominant for the bulk of the 2025/26 season and merit the championship on the basis of a consistency that no other side has matched. Yet they cannot take the title for granted; the prospect of tripping over the finish line remains a vivid concern for players such as Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp, who all remember the heartbreak of missing out on the title to Chelsea on goal‑difference in 2023/24.
Could history repeat itself? The memory of that narrow defeat still lingers, and the club will be determined to avoid a repeat.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have emerged as the other major disappointment of match‑week 20. Their problem is not a loss – they settled for a goalless draw with Tottenham – but a loss of momentum and initiative. Once considered strong contenders for the second‑place slot behind their city rivals, United now find themselves drifting away from even a top‑three finish. Marc Skinner’s side have managed just one victory in their last eight outings across all competitions.
Scoring has dried up, and overall performance levels have nosedived. This slump raises questions about whether it reflects the limited depth of Skinner’s squad, which is smaller than those of their direct rivals, or whether other factors such as fixture congestion and injuries are to blame. United have yet to defeat any of the current top‑five teams this season, a group that includes Tottenham, City, Arsenal and Chelsea, all of which are averaging around 1.5 points per game. This suggests a tangible quality gap.
Even the return of Ella Toone from a long‑term injury on Sunday was insufficient to reignite United’s attacking spark. Spurs, on the other hand, displayed worrying trends for United. All offensive metrics were dominated by Martin Ho’s side, with an expected‑goals (xG) differential of 2.58 to 0.47 – essentially a whitewash. United took 56 minutes to register a shot on target, while Tottenham logged more than twice as many touches inside the box (42 to United’s 20).
Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce proved to be United’s saviour on the day. What does this mean for Skinner? As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, he is constantly under the microscope, especially given the high expectations that come with the Manchester United badge.
One poor result can ignite a chorus of criticism and speculation about his future. Skinner must also acknowledge that much of the recent negativity has been self‑inflicted. He has openly admitted that the team’s performances since the FA Cup loss to Chelsea, followed by a League Cup final defeat, have not met the required standards. Balancing a maiden Champions League campaign with domestic obligations appears to have drained the squad’s energy.
"We have to make some changes in the summer," Skinner, who has one year left on his current contract, said on Sunday. Whether those changes involve tactical tweaks, new signings, or even a reshuffle of the coaching staff remains to be seen, but the pressure to act is undeniable. In summary, both Manchester clubs face pivotal crossroads. City must recover quickly to preserve their title ambitions, while United need to rediscover the spark that once made them genuine contenders for the league’s upper echelons.
The coming weeks will be decisive for both sides, and fans will be watching closely to see how each club navigates the challenges ahead.