The Women's Super League has reached its halfway point, pausing for a winter break after 11 rounds of compelling action. The narrative so far is one of stark contrasts: a dominant Manchester City surging ahead and a stuttering Arsenal struggling to keep pace.
City's Ruthless Ascent Under Jeglertz
The story of the season is undoubtedly the transformation of Manchester City under new manager Andrée Jeglertz. After a narrow opening-day defeat to Chelsea, the 53-year-old Swede has overseen a perfect run of 10 consecutive victories, building a commanding six-point lead at the summit.
Where City previously faltered in big games, a new ruthlessness has emerged. This was epitomised by a dramatic late winner to beat Arsenal 3-2 after twice surrendering the lead, and a comprehensive 3-0 dismissal of Manchester United. The team is scoring freely, with eight more goals than any other side.
Leading the charge is the irrepressible Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw. The Jamaican striker has been in phenomenal form, netting 12 goals—seven more than her nearest rival—including a hat-trick against Aston Villa that took her past 100 goals for the club. Her partnership with summer signing Vivianne Miedema, who has created 22 chances, has been a highlight.
Arsenal's Title Hopes Fade Amid Struggles
In stark contrast, Arsenal represent the campaign's biggest disappointment. Fresh from their historic UEFA Women's Champions League triumph in May, expectations were sky-high. However, they find themselves eight points behind City, having won just six games.
A combination of factors has hindered Jonas Eidevall's side. An ageing squad that needed rejuvenation has been beset by injuries, while reports of dressing-room disharmony have persisted. Draws against Chelsea, Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Tottenham have proved costly, leaving them in a battle just to secure Champions League qualification.
Other Mid-Season Highlights & Lowlights
Best Signing: While City's attack grabs headlines, their defensive reinforcement has been equally shrewd. Canadian centre-back Jade Rose, 22, has provided a mature and steady presence, contributing significantly to both defence and build-up play.
Best Team (Beyond City): Tottenham Hotspur deserve immense credit. Under manager Martin Ho, and with only two summer signings, they have already surpassed last season's total points tally with half the campaign remaining.
Biggest Gripe: A major point of contention has been the league's scheduling. The move to widespread midday kick-offs has angered travelling fans due to increased cost and difficulty. This has coincided with struggling TV viewership on Sky, with just 71,000 watching the Arsenal-Chelsea clash. The league has promised a review in the summer.
Injury Crisis: The season has been marred by a devastating wave of ACL injuries, with eight players across the league suffering the cruel setback, including Brighton's Michelle Agyemang and Tottenham's Jessica Naz.
Hopes for the Second Half of the Season
As the league prepares to resume, the primary hope is for a halt to the ACL injury epidemic. Fans and pundits also hope for a reduction in the unofficial tactical timeouts managers have been taking. For the sake of Merseyside pride, seeing Liverpool or Everton finally win a home league game would provide a much-needed boost.
With City in formidable form, the second half of the season sets up a fascinating chase for the remaining Champions League spots and a potential dramatic title race if the leaders slip.
