Manchester City are tantalizingly close to ending a 10-year trophy drought in the Women's Super League. They sit nine points clear at the top with just nine games left to play. That's a massive lead, and it could get even bigger.
If City beat defending champions Chelsea this weekend and navigate a tough test against Arsenal the following week, they'll have one hand on the trophy. Even a single loss won't completely derail their title charge, but these next two matches are absolutely crucial.
The transformation at City has been remarkable. After a disappointing fourth-place finish last season and no European football to worry about this year, they've built an enormous domestic cushion. They're unbeaten in the league since losing to Chelsea on opening day and have already picked up six points from nine against their top-four rivals.
What Changed at Manchester City?
The turnaround started with a managerial shake-up. Former boss Gareth Taylor was sacked in March amid poor results and an injury nightmare. City needed someone who could rebuild not just the tactics, but the entire mentality of the squad.
Enter Andrée Jeglertz, a Champions League winner with Swedish side Umea. The experienced Swedish manager brought a completely different approach. He runs an open-door policy and actively wants players to contribute ideas about tactics and game plans.
This has given the squad ownership over their football, and the results speak for themselves. The consistency they've built is night and day compared to last season's struggles.
Squad depth was another massive issue. Last year, City sometimes had only five outfield substitutes available. Key players like Khadija "Bunny" Shaw, Vivianne Miedema, Lauren Hemp, and Alex Greenwood were all sidelined with injuries at various points.
City invested heavily to fix this problem. Even with current injuries to players like Kerolin and Aoba Fujino, the impact is barely noticeable. That depth will be crucial if they're competing in both the WSL and Champions League next season.
The European Blessing in Disguise
Here's an unexpected advantage: missing out on European football might have been the best thing for City's title chances. While Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United were traveling across Europe playing high-intensity Champions League matches, City focused purely on domestic success.
Those European trips to Germany, Spain, and Italy take their toll. It's partly why Chelsea dropped points and why Arsenal and United lost momentum in the league. City, meanwhile, only had League Cup games before getting knocked out by Chelsea in the semifinals last week.
City also learned from past mistakes. In a 22-game season, a slow start is nearly impossible to overcome. They experienced this in 2022-23 and knew they had to respond quickly after losing to Chelsea on opening day this year. That immediate turnaround has been absolutely vital.
For anyone thinking about the title race from a betting perspective, City's remaining fixtures look manageable: Leicester, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Manchester United, Brighton, Liverpool, and West Ham. Only the Manchester United away game looks particularly tricky, and even then, City have that comfortable nine-point cushion.
The big question mark is whether they can convince star striker Bunny Shaw to sign a new deal before her contract expires this summer. Sources say talks have been positive, which is crucial for their long-term ambitions.
But let's be clear: these next two games against Chelsea and Arsenal will define City's season. Win both, and the title is virtually guaranteed. Avoid defeat in both, and they're still in the driver's seat. Even one loss keeps things in their control, but it makes the run-in much tighter.
Under Jeglertz, City have proved they can win consistently. Now they need to show they can handle the pressure when it really matters. A decade is a long time to wait for a title, but the end is finally in sight.
