Manchester City Tops WSL Table Following Recent Victory

Manchester City is now one point ahead of Chelsea at the top of the Women’s Super League (WSL).

With seven consecutive victories, Manchester City has reestablished itself as a strong contender in the WSL. Khadija Shaw’s decisive goal against Everton on Sunday propelled City to the summit, capitalizing on Chelsea’s unexpected 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Saturday.

Shaw highlighted a significant “mentality shift” under the guidance of new head coach Andree Jeglertz, especially following a lackluster 2024-25 season where City finished fourth and missed out on a Champions League spot. “We had a setback last year, no Champions League, and we sat down as a group at the end of last season for an honest conversation,” Shaw explained. The Jamaica international is currently tied as the league’s top scorer with five goals.

Reflecting on last season’s disappointments, Shaw emphasized, “This season we just need the three points. The mentality is the biggest improvement. We fell short in a few games last season, but we’re focused on winning now.”

City struggled last season, dropping points in nine matches, ultimately finishing 17 points behind Chelsea and failing to secure any silverware. This was a stark contrast to the previous season, where City narrowly came second in a thrilling title race against Chelsea.

Under Jeglertz, City appears revitalized and ready to compete for the title. Since their initial defeat to Chelsea, they have remained undefeated and have scored more goals (20) than any other team in the league.

Former City striker Ellen White noted, “They’ve already capitalized on Chelsea’s dropped points and are now at the top. It’s crucial for them to maintain this position and secure three points in every match, especially since they are not in the Champions League but are contesting in the domestic cups. This is their opportunity to seize the title.”

Since his arrival in July, Jeglertz has not only introduced a dynamic, high-pressing style of play but has also fostered a collective team mindset. “It’s vital that we have so many talented players who bring diverse experiences and knowledge to the team. We’re working to ensure that everyone feels a part of this journey and that it’s not just about the head coach,” he stated.

Although City’s attacking style has faced challenges in recent matches, they successfully secured wins against West Ham and Everton. Former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis remarked, “Everton made them work hard for that victory. Games like this are crucial if you aspire to win the title; discipline was key for Manchester City’s success today.”

White added, “They needed to secure the three points and take advantage of Chelsea’s situation against Arsenal.”

Shaw, who scored 21 goals in the previous campaign and finished joint-top scorer alongside Alessia Russo, found the net again against Everton, marking her fifth goal this season.

Jeglertz hopes to keep Shaw fit as City aims for the title. “We know her capabilities; the focus must be on being ruthless in front of goal,” White said. “While the previous seasons emphasized beautiful, possession-based football, this season is about getting the job done efficiently.”