The Blues' Powerful Streak Meets Most Challenging Test Yet in the Northern Fixture

A period of over 500 days and counting from the London club suffered a defeat in a Women’s Super League match. That statement by itself highlights their exceptional quality, and whichever way you view the numbers, they appear formidable. Take these examples: “The French manager has not lost a WSL game in 15 months in charge,” “Bompastor has won 23 of her 26 WSL matches without defeat” or “She remains undefeated in 34 league matches since moving to England.” All are true, all sound impressive, and—following four wins from four this term—they are showing no signs of easing up.

Who Can End The Streak?

Eventually, Chelsea are bound to drop points in a WSL game. It might not be this week, maybe not in 2025, it might not even be this season. Maybe it won’t even be for some time, but eventually it will happen, and logic indicates that the fixtures where the unbeaten run is most likely of concluding are in their away games against key title rivals, Arsenal, City, or Manchester United. This Friday, the latter of that trio will have their turn, and form-wise they have rarely been better placed to attempt it.

The former Chelsea manager once remarked: ‘It’s rare that managers are considered as people.’

Leading sides in the early-season standings go head to head in Leigh Sports Village under the lights and, although the WSL season is just four games old, Manchester United enter the match with the best defensive record in the competition. Past encounters favours Chelsea though, because perhaps the starkest stat of all could be the following: Manchester United have not defeated their rivals in the WSL.

In fact, they have secured just a single tie from their 11 previous WSL encounters. Nevertheless, the home team’s manager, Skinner, urges his squad to have faith. “Without a doubt the toughest test in the WSL right now, of course it is,” Skinner commented. “We want to try to end their streak when we play but it is a challenge.

“They are a highly efficient unit. Possessing exceptional quality, squad depth and talent, that they’ve built through the years. Anticipate the toughest of challenges this week and we must prepare fully.

“In my view, it is possible to damage Chelsea with the ball, but you need to be brave in doing that, as it’s higher risk because they excel in one-on-ones. You have to be confident that you can defeat them, and demonstrate the opposition that you can.”

The Manager’s View on the Streak

For Bompastor, who oversaw a domestic treble last term in her first season in the WSL, the numbers are not significant. “The narrative regarding the undefeated streak is mostly of interest to the media,” she stated. “We started anew with a clean slate, with four games all played, and we want to approach each fixture with the desire for victory. It is early in the season, we have not accomplished much so far.”

Bompastor recalls positively of visiting the venue, because that was the place her team clinched last season’s championship on 30 April, with a 1-0 victory thanks to a Lucy Bronze goal. Now they face a United side that has conceded only one goal in four league games and the coach noted: “United appear solid and they’ve had a good start to the season.

“In these games, it’s always tough. Perhaps you create limited opportunities compared to some of the games and it is crucial to make sure your side is precise and effective. I think that’s what determines the outcome in the highest-level games.”

Star Scorers to Look Out For

The top goalscorers in the WSL this term are set to feature on either side: Manchester United’s Melvine Malard has four times from four WSL appearances, as does Chelsea’s Beever-Jones, scoring in each match.

Bompastor said, regarding the English forward's flourishing form: “From the beginning arrived at the club, I could recognise that Aggie is a highly skilled footballer with a lot of talent, and also a really complete player.

“Defensively she has been outstanding; as the initial player in the frontline applying the press. In possession, we have been working hard with her, trying for her to be as effective as she can be in various areas of her game. Currently, she appears really confident [and] which benefits for the team.”

Why the First Goal

A common saying in soccer that the “first goal is decisive” but this appears especially true here; Manchester United are unbeaten in each of the past 25 WSL games in which they have taken the lead. If they can finally end their wait for a maiden victory against their rivals, it would be the first major turn in the WSL title race.