As the WSL comes to an end, let's look back at some of the most crucial matches that reshaped the entire 2025/26 season.
First up was an early fixture between two strong title contenders in Manchester City and Arsenal. It was a statement 3-2 win th the home side of the city and immediately framed the title race as losing their opening match 2-1 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. City were constantly on the front foot pressing aggressively from the opening minutes as Arsenal had to keep coming from behind. City's weapons and targeted Arsenal deliberately in the build-up play, forcing turnovers in wide areas. Their opening goal came from sustained territorial pressure, exploiting the space Arsenal left between their full-backs and centre halves. Arsenal continued in the game and had to come back from behind. They eventually did regain control through midfield possession and equalised by drawing City out of shape before finishing decisively. This was a very open, end-to-end, emotionally charged match, with both sides trading momentum and vying for a win to keep up with Chelsea at the top. Chelsea again retook the league through transition play. Still, Arsenal struck back late through Chloe Kelly, thinking she had just got them a point, celebrating expressively to her former club and agitating the fans, which only made it sweeter for the home crowd, with City finding the decisive moment late on to grab all three points. Iman Beney arrived untracked in the penalty area to score the winning goal. This was the first indication that City could outlast and outfight direct title rivals, while Arsenal’s defensive fragility in high-risk matches was exposed. It was also the first clear sign that Arsenal would not win the league.
The next game was the most controversial in WSL history, not so much for the players' actions on the pitch, but for the officials in charge. A recurring theme in games against Arsenal and Chelsea this season has been the lack of VAR, or it's not being used correctly, making it the biggest headline of the fixtures rather than the football itself. This game was no different. Chelsea scored first through Alyssa Thompson as they started on the front foot and controlled possession early. They remained compact and capitalised on a defensive lapse to finish from close range after a low cut-back. Arsenal responded with sustained pressure, and though they had equalised through Stina Blackstenius, the referee decided there was a handball by the goalscorer in an attempt to control the ball; however, on replay, it did not touch her arm but her torso, so it should have stood. But without VAR, it was impossible to overturn the decision. They got there earlier through Alessia Russo, but Chelsea players protested for offside in the buildup, but again, without goalline technology, this could not be determined. They thought Frida Maanum had scored the winner in the dying moments. Still, it was ruled off again, with Arsenal players in uproar, describing the result as a “robbery”; neither side knew what they would later see in the Champions League. This triggered the widespread demand for VAR and goal-line technology, and for women's referees and officials to be full-time, better-trained professionals, so these kinds of mistakes do not happen. Arsenal dropped points in a must-win home fixture, and Chelsea preserved their unbeaten run of 555+ days.
Spurs had built momentum under their new manager, Martin Jol, and did extremely well throughout the season, but in the first half, they were pushing for European football. The North London derby took place; however, the club did not host it at the main stadium, where they would likely have drawn a crowd of 30,000+. The result was somewhat of a shock. Arsenal had dominated this fixture in women's football, so much so that it never felt like a derby, unlike Chelsea v Arsenal, which are at similar competitive levels. But Spurs took Arsenal by surprise, setting up in a disciplined low block, conceding possession but denying central spaces. Arsenal controlled the ball for long periods but struggled to create clear chances. Crosses were dealt with comfortably, shots were blocked, and Arsenal’s tempo slowed as frustration grew. Spurs offered little in attack but executed their defensive plan with precision. Arsenal were again dropping points in their second successive draw in the WSL. It was the third time the Spurs have taken a point off Arsenal in their last 12 matches. It was Arsenal's worst start to a WSL season since 2014; they had dropped 11 points early in the campaign.
On the same weekend as the North London derby, Chelsea officially broke the all-time WSL unbeaten record by reaching 34 matches without defeat, a mark they had previously held after a 1-1 draw against Liverpool. Which might have been seen as historic,c but the fact it was a draw was frightening for Chelsea. But Chelsea dropped points against slipping behind Manchester City in the title race. It also marked the first time in over three years, and the first time under Sonia Boapstor, that Chelsea failed to win back-to-back league games after their controversial draw with Arsenal. Despite this game on paper looking like it should be a celebration, the Liverpool equaliser was due to Millie Bright being cleanly outpaced,d and the team looked deflated at the final whistle and openly admitting that their standard of performance was not good enough. It unfortunately only got worse for Chelsea.
After a particularly rocky start to the season, it was not until November that West Ham women registered their first win, which, in the end, was not a big worry, as they were not in a relegation battle. This was a breakthrough fixture; they won 3-1 against Everton. West Ham played with intensity from the outset, pressing higher and committing players forward. Their opening goal came when a defender broke into the box and finished confidently, setting the tone. A second goal followed from a well-worked set-piece, highlighting improved organisation. Everton struggled to cope with West Ham’s directness and physical presence. Early in the second half, West Ham exploited space behind Everton’s defensive line to score a third, effectively ending the contest. A late Everton goal was no more than a consolation.
Chelsea's unbeaten record came crashing down in a shocking 1-0 home defeat to Everton, producing one of the season's shocks. Everton defended deep and with discipline, absorbing pressure and waiting for their opportunity. That chance came early, when they punished a momentary lapse with a clinical finish. Chelsea dominated possession and chances for the remainder of the match but lacked sharpness and were repeatedly frustrated by Everton’s defensive resilience. It was the first example of cracks showing for Chelsea, and that their title race was over.
The holders' title race ended after a 2-0 home defeat to Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. This historic match marked Arsenal's first league victory away at Chelsea since 2018 and snapped Chelsea's 11-game home winning streak. There was still a chance for the WSL, though slim, but their 5-1 loss saw them lose back-to-back games, marking the first time in 11 years that Chelsea women had lost back-to-back WSL games. Kerolin scored a hat-trick, becoming the first player ever to score a hat-trick against the current holders. It was Chelsea's largest-ever WSL defeat. It pushed Manchester City 11 points clear at the top of the table and effectively extinguished reigning champions Chelsea’s hopes of retaining their domestic crown. The victory marked Manchester City’s 13th consecutive win in the WSL, underlying their historic momentum toward the title. City overwhelmed Chelsea with pace, intensity, and relentless pressing. Early goals destabilised Chelsea, who looked uncharacteristically disorganised.
Before the season’s final phase, Brighton & Hove Albion Women delivered a shock. After surviving early pressure, Brighton grew into the game and exploited City’s high defensive line, scoring twice to turn the match around. City responded, but Brighton refused to retreat and scored a late winner, handing the eventual champions one of only a handful of defeats. Overall, this season, Brighton proved difficult for the big four teams; except for Chelsea, they took points from Arsenal, Manchester City and United throughout the campaign and truly fit the underdog analogy of their impact. It showed that even the league’s best side could be destabilised by tactical bravery and belief.
After a late winning goal, Rebecca Knaak against Liverpool, Brighton drew, mathematically ruling them out of winning the title and effectively ending the title race with the final weekend to go. This was a period when Arsenal had to play seven games in twenty due to weather-related fixture changes, games called off, and participation in the Champions Cup and Champions League. This rescheduled fixture carried enormous weight for Arsenal. The Gooners needed a win to keep their faint title hopes alive. Brighton defended compactly, disrupted rhythm, and forced play wide. Brighton struck first by exploiting the space left behind Arsenal’s advanced full-backs. Arsenal equalised through pressure, but their attacking play lacked clarity and composure late on. Brighton defended resolutely to see out the draw.
Add comment
Comments