The Women’s Super League title race took a dramatic turn as Manchester City’s hopes of clinching the trophy were dashed by a late surge from Arsenal. With just a minute of normal time remaining, City seemed to be on their way to victory, but Stina Blackstenius’ double secured a 2-1 win for Arsenal, spoiling City’s party. Meanwhile, Chelsea secured a resounding 8-0 victory against Bristol City, putting them in contention for the title.
Former England midfielder Fara Williams believes that the title race is far from over. Despite City currently holding a three-point lead, Chelsea has a game in hand and a superior goal difference. Williams stated, “It’s wide open for the last game of the season and it’s super exciting.” This sentiment is echoed by ex-England striker Ellen White, who believes the title race has been “thrown up in the air.”
City manager Gareth Taylor has always maintained that the title would be decided in the final game. After Chelsea’s surprise defeat to Liverpool, many believed that City had the upper hand. However, Taylor remained cautious and knew that anything could happen in the final stages of the season. “Of course it would have been nice to win the game,” Taylor said. “We have another opportunity now at Villa.”
The irony of Arsenal, Chelsea’s biggest rivals, playing a part in re-opening the title race has not gone unnoticed. Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall, while not getting drawn into the title race discussion, emphasized his team’s resilience and determination. He stated, “We put in a really strong performance and now it’s up to other teams to put in strong performances. It’s not really any of my business who is going to win.”
With just one game remaining, the Women’s Super League title race has reached a thrilling climax. City will need to secure a victory against Aston Villa if they hope to lift the trophy, provided Chelsea wins their game in hand against Tottenham. The final day of the season promises to be an exciting showdown, showcasing the competitiveness and unpredictability of women’s football.