Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the most pressing storylines from the latest Women's Super League fixtures, drawing readers into the pivotal narratives shaping the women's game today. Manchester City appeared to have the championship secured as early as Wednesday, potentially needing no further matches to clinch the title. If Arsenal had stumbled against Leicester—a scenario that seemed unlikely but not impossible—City's lead at the summit could have become mathematically untouchable with only a handful of games left.
That hypothetical, however, has vanished. The celebratory atmosphere surrounding a City title party has been frozen in place. The shock loss to Brighton over the weekend reshaped the title picture dramatically.
Both Chelsea and Arsenal now possess the theoretical ability to match City’s current points total of 49. In practice, Chelsea, under Sonia Bompastor, are effectively out of the race because their goal‑difference deficit is too great to overcome, but Arsenal remain very much in contention.
What was once described as a one‑percent chance for an upset before the weekend has now swollen to roughly five percent, even though Arsenal have not yet taken the field. Regular followers of this column will recall the symbolic hand‑over of the trophy that I predicted as early as February. In hindsight, that early proclamation may have been premature.
Nevertheless, it would still be a formidable challenge for the dominant City side to see their crown slip away 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‑roaming role proved decisive in a stunning 3‑2 defeat that left fans reeling. Andree Jeglertz’s City must now collect at least five points from their remaining fixtures to seal the championship. As long as Arsenal win the games they have in hand, City cannot guarantee the title before the final matchday.
Jeglertz appears unfazed by the uncertainty, but he does remind everyone that his side has suffered only one loss this campaign – that defeat to City – and any further slip‑ups are likely to be costly. City’s upcoming schedule includes a home clash with Liverpool followed by an away trip to West Ham, with an FA Cup semi‑final against Chelsea sandwiched in between.
None of these fixtures are easy, especially after a loss that came after City had been in control for much of the game. It marked the first occasion this season that City surrendered points after leading. Captain Alex Greenwood reflected positively after the Brighton game, emphasizing how the squad has consistently bounced back from setbacks throughout the season.
She admitted the loss was painful because "we were in control," noting that City created seven clear‑cut chances but failed to convert any. The lack of cohesion was partly attributed to the 19‑day break following international duties, which disrupted the team’s rhythm.
The calendar has been both a friend and a foe for City this campaign. On one hand, the absence of European fixtures has reduced fatigue and allowed the squad to focus on domestic matches. On the other, the irregular spacing of games has sometimes broken the team’s momentum. City’s roster was deliberately built to endure the rigours of three‑game weeks, yet there have been periods where the gaps between fixtures have been unusually long, testing the players’ sharpness.
Despite the recent setback, there is no cause for panic. City have been exceptionally dominant for the bulk of the 2025/26 season and merit the title on the basis of a consistency that no other side has matched. However, they can no longer take the trophy for granted.
The prospect of stumbling at the final hurdle looms large for key figures such as Greenwood, Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp, who all recall the sting of missing out on the 2023/24 title to Chelsea on goal difference. Could history repeat itself? The fear remains fresh in the dressing room.
Manchester United, meanwhile, emerged as the other major disappointment of matchweek 20. Their frustration was not a loss – they settled for a goalless draw with Tottenham – but rather a loss of momentum and belief. Once viewed as strong contenders for second place behind their city rivals, United now appear to be fighting for a top‑three finish. Marc Skinner’s side have managed only one victory in their last eight matches across all competitions.
Scoring has dried up, and overall performances have plummeted. The question arises: is this decline a symptom of the limited depth in Skinner’s squad compared with the league’s elite, 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 whom are averaging around 1.5 points per game. This suggests a genuine quality gap.
Even the return of Ella Toone from a long injury layoff on Sunday could not reignite the team’s offensive spark. Spurs displayed worrying trends of their own. Their attacking metrics were dominated by Martin Ho’s side, with an expected‑goals (xG) disparity that resembled a whitewash: 2.58 for Spurs versus 0.47 for United. United did not register a shot on target until the 56th minute, while Spurs logged more than double the number of touches inside the box (42 to United’s 20).
Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce was United’s saviour on the day. Where does this leave Skinner? As the longest‑serving manager in the WSL, his position is perpetually under scrutiny, given the high expectations attached to the United badge.
A single poor result can ignite talk of pressure and possible dismissal. Skinner must also recognise that much of the criticism directed at him is self‑inflicted. He readily admits 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 has evidently taken its toll, leaving the squad exhausted.
"We have to make some changes over the summer," Skinner, who has one year left on his current contract, told reporters on Sunday. Whether those changes involve personnel, tactics, or perhaps even his own role remains to be seen.
In summary, both Manchester clubs face pivotal crossroads. City must rediscover their clinical edge and composure to secure the title they have largely earned, while United must revive their attacking intent and confidence if they hope to finish the season in a respectable league position.
The next few weeks will be decisive for both teams as they strive to rewrite the narratives of their respective seasons.