WSL UPDATES: Chelsea’s Dominance is All But Over After Heavy Defeat to Manchester City Women
Chelsea’s six-year-long reign at the top of the Women’s Super League looks set to come to an end after a devastating 5-1 loss to Manchester City on Sunday, 1 February.
A sublime hat-trick from Kerolin and a goal apiece for Khadija Shaw and Vivianne Mediema ensured City never looked troubled, and they closed out the game 12 points clear of their London rivals.
A Convincing City Display From Start to Finish
Brazilian forward Kerolin was the star of the show, wowing the Etihad crowd with goals in the 13th, 49th, and 54th minutes, including a sublime solo run and a chipped finish.
Khadija Shaw added City’s second, before Vivianne Miedema netted the fifth after Chelsea’s Alyssa Thompson had pulled one back in the 68th minute.
Chelsea barely made it out of first gear and struggled to respond to City’s onslaught despite bringing on Sam Kerr and Sjoeke Nusken.
Could City’s Ten-Year Wait For a WSL Title be Coming to an End?
Chelsea have utterly dominated the WSL in the last decade, winning every title since the 2019/2020 season.
In fact, in the last ten years, only two other teams have won the WSL crown: Arsenal in 2018/2019 and Manchester City Women in 2016.
But City’s defiant victory at the weekend means they look set to end their ten-year wait to become WSL champions once again, as they now sit 11 points ahead of Manchester United in second.
They face fourth-placed Arsenal on Sunday, 8 February, and, if recent City form continues, the Gunners – and the crowd of Gooners – will be in for a tough afternoon.
