Manchester City Shines in Title Chase
By Emily Keogh
November 15, 2025, 11:30 AM ET
The question looms: will this season see Chelsea, the formidable champions, finally surrender their reign in the Women’s Super League? Manchester City has certainly positioned themselves as serious contenders after a convincing 3-0 victory against Manchester United, showcasing their intent under new manager Andrée Jeglertz.
City narrowly missed out on the championship last season due to goal difference and finished fourth without a coach. However, they have bounced back remarkably, now leading the WSL with a four-point advantage.
In the recent Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium, City dominated from the outset, taking full advantage of United’s fragile defense. This emphatic performance serves as a clear signal that City is eyeing their first league title in nearly a decade.
After returning from injury, Rebecca Knaak initiated the scoring by converting a precise header from Khadija “Bunny” Shaw. Shortly thereafter, Shaw extended the lead, while Lauren Hemp, back from her own month-long injury absence, clinched a third goal, leading to a devastating first half for the visitors.
Prior to the match, United faced the added pressure of navigating the UEFA Women’s Champions League fixtures alongside their domestic commitments. Meanwhile, City benefitted from a full week to prepare, as United adjusted to their debut European campaign.
Moreover, United’s troubles were compounded by the absence of goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, who could be sidelined for several weeks. The inexperience of her replacement, Safia Middleton-Patel, became apparent as City exploited defensive lapses to secure a commanding first-half lead.
Transformational changes are evident at City since last season. Under Andrée Jeglertz’s leadership, who has a proven track record in women’s football, there has been a cultural shift within the squad. Following a difficult year under Gareth Taylor, Jeglertz’s management style encourages player involvement in tactics and accountability for performance. His focus on collaboration and open communication has revitalized the spirit within the team.
Fans witnessed this shift during a recent halftime talk, where Jeglertz urged the players to regain possession aggressively and maintain high energy levels—a strategy that successfully contributed to a 2-1 comeback victory against Everton.
Despite a defeat in their season opener against Chelsea, City has since notched up victories in every subsequent match, demonstrating significant improvement and determination.
City’s successful transfer window further strengthened the squad, with new additions like Jade Rose and Iman Beney ensuring resilience, even amidst injury setbacks. Currently, they hold a favorable four-point advantage over Chelsea, who are set to face Liverpool next, with City leading the table.
Having missed out on European competition last season, City has concentrated their efforts solely on the WSL, allowing them to mitigate the pressures of fixture congestion that often strain teams like Chelsea, who are currently engaged in additional Champions League matches.
As Chelsea’s streak of 32 league games without defeat faces potential disruption from their ongoing commitments, City is poised to capitalize on any slip-up. A strong run, including victories against Arsenal and United, positions City as the primary threat to Chelsea’s dominance, as they aim to reclaim the title for the first time in a decade.
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