Laura Hunter, the Sky Sports columnist, breaks down the headline moments from the most recent Women’s Super League fixtures, drawing readers into 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—a scenario that appeared unlikely but not impossible—City’s lead at the summit could have become unassailable with only a handful of games left. That hypothetical, however, has now evaporated, and the celebration that seemed inevitable is on hold. The shock loss to Brighton over the weekend has reopened the race. Both Chelsea and Arsenal now possess the mathematical ability to match 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 previously described as a one‑percent chance for a title swing has suddenly risen to roughly five percent, and it has happened without Arsenal even stepping onto the pitch. Regular followers of this column will recall my early February speculation about a symbolic hand‑over of the trophy.
In hindsight, that prediction may have been premature. Even so, it would still require a dramatic collapse for City to lose the crown at this stage. As Fran Kirby quipped after Saturday’s match, "We’re happy to keep the title race going a little longer." Kirby’s brilliance in a free‑role position proved decisive in a stunning 3‑2 defeat.
Andree Jeglertz’s side now need at least five points from their remaining fixtures to keep the title hopes alive, and as long as Arsenal win the games they have in hand, the championship cannot be secured until the final matchday. Jeglertz appears unfazed; he simply reminds us that Renee Slegers’ United have suffered only one loss this term—a defeat to City. Any additional slip‑ups will likely be costly.
City’s upcoming schedule features a home clash with Liverpool followed by an away trip to West Ham, with an FA Cup semi‑final against Chelsea sandwiched between. None of these fixtures are easy, especially after a loss that could have been settled in the first half. It marks the first occasion this season that City have surrendered points after leading. Captain Alex Greenwood reflected positively after the Brighton game, emphasizing how the squad has consistently responded to adversity throughout the campaign.
She admitted the defeat hurt because "we were in control," noting that City generated seven clear‑cut chances but failed to convert any. The lack of cohesion was evident after a 19‑day international break, which left the team without a full training cycle. The calendar has been both a blessing and a curse for City. The absence of European fixtures has reduced fatigue, yet the irregular spacing of league matches has sometimes disrupted rhythm.
City’s roster was built to endure three‑game weeks, but there have been periods of long gaps between matches that have tested squad depth and match sharpness. Despite the setback, there is no reason for panic.
City have been spectacular for the bulk of the 2025/26 season and merit the title for a level of consistency unmatched by any rival. Nevertheless, they cannot take the trophy for granted.
Players such as Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp will be keenly aware of the danger of stumbling at the final hurdle, recalling the heartbreak of missing out on the championship on goal‑difference to Chelsea in 2023/24. Could history repeat itself?
Manchester United endured a similarly bleak weekend in matchweek 20, not because they lost their game— they settled for a goalless draw with Tottenham— but because they appear to have lost any sense of momentum. Once considered strong contenders for second place behind their city rivals, United now face an uphill battle to even finish inside the top three. Marc Skinner’s side have secured only one victory in their last eight matches across all competitions.
Scoring has dried up, and performance levels have plummeted. The question arises: is this decline a symptom of the limited size of Skinner’s squad compared with the league’s elite, or are 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 struggle to bridge. Even the return of Ella Toone from injury could not spark the required revival.
Spurs displayed worrying trends of their own. Their offensive metrics were dominated by Martin Ho’s side, with an expected‑goals (xG) differential of 2.58 to 0.47. United did not register a shot on target until the 56th minute, while Spurs recorded more than twice as many touches inside the opposition box (42 versus 20). Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce emerged as United’s saviour.
What does this mean for Skinner? As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, he is perpetually under scrutiny, especially given the high expectations attached to United’s badge. One poor result can ignite talk of pressure and possible dismissal.
Skinner must also recognize that much of the recent criticism is self‑inflicted. He openly admits that the results since the FA Cup loss to Chelsea, followed by the League Cup final defeat, have been insufficient. The squad appears to have run out of steam after trying to juggle a maiden Champions League campaign with domestic obligations. "We have to make some changes in the summer," Skinner said, noting he has another year left on his contract.
Whether those changes involve personnel, tactics or a fresh approach remains to be seen. In summary, both Manchester clubs face pivotal moments. City must recover quickly to protect a title that is still within reach, while United need to rediscover the spark that once made them genuine contenders for a top‑three finish. The final weeks of the season will determine whether either side can rewrite the narrative of a weekend that, for now, stands as a sobering reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in the Women’s Super League.