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Three teams – Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal – are after a domestic double, while Manchester City remain in with a chance of Women’s Super League glory.
In a topsy-turvy campaign, four of the country’s biggest clubs still hold a strong chance of lifting the WSL title on May 27, with nine points separating the quartet.
Add in title showdowns between the four teams and the impact of the FA Cup – plus a close race in the goal-difference tallies – and every single point, goal and result is going to count in the final month of the season, starting with Chelsea’s game against Liverpool on Wednesday night.
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So which team has the best chance of fending off challengers and fighting their way to the top prize?
Manchester UnitedPosition: 1stPlayed: 19Points: 47GD: +39Remaining WSL fixtures: Tottenham (H) – May 7, Man City (H) – May 21, Liverpool (A) – May 27
Friday night’s last-gasp 3-2 comeback win over Aston Villa has given Man Utd renewed belief they can clinch a maiden WSL title.
The dramatic stoppage-time victory at Villa moved United six points clear at the top – and you cannot say they do not deserve to be leading the charge as frontrunners.
Marc Skinner’s side are the league’s top goalscorers (50) and have also conceded the joint-fewest (11). That means they are also in the best possible position in terms of goal difference.
What is particularly noticeable is the way United spread their goals around their attack. If it is not Alessia Russo on the scoresheet, then it is Leah Galton. Or Ella Toone. Or super-sub Lucia Garcia.
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Highlights of the Women’s Super League match between Aston Villa and Manchester United.
United’s only other concern is an FA Cup final against holders Chelsea on May 14. The Blues are also a major problem for United in the WSL with Emma Hayes’ side seven points adrift, but crucially with three games in hand.
Alessia Russo vs Rachel Daly: What makes them so effective?How United’s season concludes – with or without silverware – may well have an impact on whether top-scorer Russo, the subject of a world-record bid from Arsenal in January, stays at Old Trafford this summer.
The England forward’s contract expires in July, but could a WSL winner’s medal and the chance to represent Manchester United in their first Champions League campaign boost the club’s position at the negotiating table?
Manchester CityPosition: 2ndPlayed: 19Points: 44GD: +26Remaining WSL fixtures: Liverpool (A) – May 7, Man Utd (A) – May 21, Everton (H) – May 27
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Highlights of the WSL match between Manchester City and West Ham
Manchester City have catapulted themselves back into title contention. With Chelsea and Arsenal dealing in European matters in recent weeks, the pressure was on Gareth Taylor’s side to perform – and they are yet to disappoint.
After a win against Chelsea was followed by defeat to Arsenal, many ruled Man City out of a title tilt. But they have once again shaken things up in the absence of games for direct rivals. They put six past West Ham, before scoring another four in a win over Reading. The gauntlet has been thrown.
City also have the simplest run-in, but they must win every game between now and May 27 to stand any chance of lifting the trophy.
City’s campaign has been one of revival and resurgence since losing their opening two games of the season, spearheaded by WSL top scorer Khadija Shaw who has found the net 18 times, but even that has not been enough to fire them out in front.
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Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor says the club is heading in the right direction, and he hopes to be a part of their long-term future
Perhaps this heated title race may be asking too much of Taylor’s new-look side this term, after going through a significant overhaul in the summer months, but they must not be discounted entirely.
It is clear they possess class and quality in abundance – but has this latest renaissance come too late in the day to challenge for top honours? All eyes on May 21 vs Man Utd, perhaps?
ChelseaPosition: 3rdPlayed: 16Points: 40GD: +28Remaining fixtures: Liverpool (H) – May 3, Everton (H) – May 7*, West Ham (A) – May 17*, Arsenal (H) – May 21, Reading (A) – May 27, TBA: Leicester (H)
*live on Sky Sports
We are now at the business end of the season and many still believe this is Chelsea’s league to lose – they have got a point.
The fixture list is in their favour. As well as their crucial three games in hand on the leaders, Emma Hayes’ Blues have already played the majority of the competing field – only a showdown with Arsenal remains, with five of their six remaining fixtures against non-title chasing competitors. No game is a gimme. But Chelsea rarely suffer slip-ups.
Star forward Sam Kerr – who scored her 50th WSL goal in a 3-0 win over Aston Villa in early April – will be looking to add to her impressive haul before the season is out.
Why WSL sides live in fear of Chelsea’s Sam Kerr
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We take a look back at the goals scored by Sam Kerr so far in the Women’s Super League this season as the Australian continues her fine form for Chelsea
Chelsea have the busiest schedule of the four teams challenging for WSL honours, and will have to put European heartache behind them swiftly after falling foul of Barcelona at the semi-final stage. The Blues have the talent and depth to do so, but even Hayes admits her side are beginning to tire, with injuries to key players also compounding selection struggles.
There continues to be concern over centre-back Millie Bright’s fitness – with the defender nursing a troublesome knee – while Fran Kirby is out for the rest of the season and will miss the World Cup. Pernille Harder has recently returned to action after a lengthy lay-off.
Will such a toiling schedule – which involves WSL and FA Cup engagements across a hectic May – prove to be Chelsea’s downfall as they pursue a fourth consecutive league title?
ArsenalPosition: 4thPlayed: 17Points: 38GD: +29Remaining fixtures: Leicester (H) – May 5*, Brighton (A) – May 10*, Everton (A) – May 17*, Chelsea (A) – May 21, Aston Villa (H) – May 27
* Live on Sky Sports
Title credentials are built on the promise that key players stay fit and firing. Arsenal have not been so lucky.
In truth, they have been on the back foot since season-ending knee injuries to star forwards Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead around Christmas, which threatened to derail their campaign before it had even reached its midway point.
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Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall says Leah Williamson is being ‘logical’ about her ACL injury which has ruled her out of the World Cup
Now, captain Kim Little is out for the rest of the campaign, compounded by another notable absentee – England captain Leah Williamson, who suffered the same fate as both Miedema and Mead not long ago. Rotten luck for a player at the peak of her powers.
Victories over Tottenham and Man City threatened a late title race revival but a 1-0 loss last month to Man Utd rather scuppered plans.
Throw in a heartbreaking Champions League semi-final defeat to Wolfsburg and Jonas Eidevall’s side must now summon all the drive and spirit they possess to put setbacks to one side and go for gold.
LISTEN: Three Players and a Podcast
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Hosted by Caroline Barker, Three Players and a Podcast sees Jen Beattie (currently playing for Arsenal), Izzy Christiansen (currently playing for Everton) and Rachel Yankey (former WSL player and England international) bring three topics to the table each episode. Topical or historical, light-hearted or hard-hitting – we’ll discuss the important issues and debates surrounding women’s football.
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Source: Sky Sports | Read More
