Man City nine points clear in WSL — how they became title favourites

Manchester City have built a nine-point lead at the top of the Women's Super League, making them the clear favourites for the title ahead of Sunday's clash with Chelsea, a fixture that was billed as decisive when the 2025-26 schedule was released. Both clubs started the season fast — winning 12 of their first 14 league games between them — but Chelsea have taken just two wins from their last six WSL matches while City have ridden a 12-game winning streak; City's only league defeat came on the opening day, also to Chelsea.

City's rapid rise follows a difficult 2024-25 campaign in which injuries and a midseason managerial change left them fourth. Gareth Taylor left in March, Nick Cushing acted as interim, and a run of four defeats in six WSL games helped cost City European football last term. Without Champions League commitments this season, City have enjoyed a lighter schedule and greater recovery time.

They have also strengthened in January with the signing of Sam Coffey, and retained depth despite absences for Alex Greenwood, Lauren Hemp, Kerolin, Grace Clinton, Sydney Lohmann and others — while Mary Fowler remains sidelined with an ACL injury. Midfielder Yui Hasegawa told GOAL before the season: "We really must aim for first place...

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