Laura Hunter, the regular columnist for Sky Sports, breaks down the most pressing issues emerging from the latest round of Women’s Super League fixtures, giving readers a deeper look at the narratives that define the women’s game today. Manchester City appeared to be on the brink of sealing the title as early as Wednesday, potentially needing no further matches. If Arsenal had stumbled against Leicester – an unlikely but not impossible scenario – City’s lead at the summit could have become mathematically untouchable with only a handful of games remaining. That hypothetical, however, has now been erased from the equation.
The celebratory atmosphere surrounding a guaranteed championship has been replaced with a cautious pause. The shock loss to Brighton over the weekend has reopened the race. Both Chelsea and Arsenal now possess the mathematical ability to finish with the same points total that City currently hold (49). In practice, Chelsea, under Sonia Bompastor, are very unlikely to overtake the leaders because of an inferior goal‑difference, but the Gunners remain a realistic threat.
What was previously described as a one‑per‑cent chance of a title upset before the weekend has swollen to roughly five per cent, and that without Arsenal even stepping onto the pitch. Long‑time followers of this column will recall the symbolic trophy hand‑over I suggested as early as February. In hindsight, perhaps that early celebration was premature. Even with the setback, it would still be a tall order for a powerhouse like City to see the crown slip away.
As forward Fran Kirby quipped on Saturday, "We’re happy to keep the title race alive a little longer." Kirby’s creativity in a free role proved decisive in a stunning 3‑2 defeat, highlighting how a single player can tip the scales. Andree Jeglertz’s side now needs a minimum of five points from their remaining fixtures to clinch the title, and as long as Arsenal win the games they have in hand, the championship cannot be confirmed until the final round.
Jeglertz seems unfazed by the pressure, perhaps reminded that his side, managed by Renee Slegers, have suffered only a single defeat this season – that loss came at the hands of City. Any additional slip‑ups could prove costly. City’s upcoming schedule features a home clash with Liverpool followed by an away trip to West Ham, with a high‑stakes FA Cup semi‑final against Chelsea sandwiched in between. None of those matches are easy, especially after a loss that came after they had the game in hand for much of the first half.
It marks the first occasion this season that City have surrendered points after leading. Captain Alex Greenwood offered a measured assessment after the Brighton game. She stressed how the squad has learned to rebound from adversity throughout the campaign, even though the recent defeat was painful because the team had controlled large portions of the match. Over the course of a full ninety minutes in Brighton, City generated seven clear‑cut chances but failed to convert any of them, a stark illustration of a side that had not yet fully gelled after a nineteen‑day international break.
The calendar has been both a friend and a foe for City this season. The absence of midweek European fixtures has allowed them to avoid the fatigue that other clubs endure, yet the irregular spacing of league games has sometimes disrupted their rhythm. The squad has been built to withstand three‑game weeks, but there have also been stretches where the gaps between matches have been unusually long, testing the players’ match sharpness. Despite the setback, there is no cause for panic.
City have been extraordinarily consistent throughout the 2025‑26 season and have a legitimate claim to the title based on a level of performance that no other side has matched. Nonetheless, they can no longer treat the championship as a foregone conclusion. The prospect of missing out on the trophy will be a vivid nightmare for key figures such as Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp, who still recall the heartbreak of losing the 2023‑24 title to Chelsea on goal difference.
Could history repeat itself? The thought lingers, and the club knows it must avoid that scenario at all costs. On the other side of Manchester, United endured a painful weekend as well, though not because they lost their match – a goalless draw with Tottenham – but because the performance laid bare a loss of momentum. Once considered the favourite to finish second behind their cross‑city rivals, United now face an uphill battle to even secure a top‑three finish.
Marc Skinner’s side have managed just one win in their last eight fixtures across all competitions. The attacking output has dried up, and the overall quality of play has plummeted.
The question arises whether this dip reflects the inherent limitations of a squad that is smaller in depth compared to its rivals, or if external factors such as fixture congestion and injuries have played a larger role. United have failed to secure victories against any of the current top‑five teams, a list that includes Spurs, City, Arsenal and Chelsea. Those clubs are averaging roughly 1.5 points per game, underscoring a widening quality gap. Even the return of Ella Toone from a long injury layoff on Sunday was insufficient to spark a revival.
Spurs displayed concerning trends of their own. All offensive metrics were dominated by Martin Ho’s side, with an expected‑goals (xG) total of 2.58 compared to United’s meagre 0.47. It took United a full 56 minutes just to register a shot on target, while Tottenham recorded over double the number of touches inside the penalty area (42 versus 20).
Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce proved to be United’s only saving grace. Where does this leave Skinner?
As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, his tenure is constantly under the microscope, especially given the expectations that come with the United badge. A single poor result can ignite a chorus of criticism and speculation about his future.
Skinner must also recognize that a significant portion of the recent negativity is self‑generated. He readily admits that the team’s performances since the FA Cup loss to Chelsea, followed by the League Cup final defeat, have been sub‑par. 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 over the summer," Skinner said on Sunday, noting that his contract still has a year remaining.
Whether those adjustments will involve new personnel, tactical revisions, or even his own role remains to be seen. In summary, both Manchester clubs find themselves at a crossroads. City must rediscover the sharpness that carried them through the bulk of the season if they wish to secure the title, while United need to reverse a worrying slide if they hope to remain competitive in the upper echelons of the league. The coming weeks will be decisive for the fortunes of both sides, and fans will be watching closely as the narrative unfolds.