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

It has been more than 500 days and counting from the London club last lost a Women’s Super League game. This fact alone highlights their exceptional quality, and no matter how you view the statistics, they appear formidable. Take these facts: “The French manager has not lost a WSL fixture in 15 months as coach,” “She has won 23 of her 26 WSL matches undefeated” or “She is unbeaten in 34 domestic games since moving to England.” All are true, each seems impressive, and—following four wins out of four this term—they are showing little indication of slowing down.

Who Can End The Streak?

Eventually, Chelsea will lose a WSL match. Perhaps not this week, it might not be in 2025, it might not even be this season. Perhaps it won’t even be during this parliament, but one day it is inevitable, and logic indicates that the matches where the unbeaten run is most likely of ending is in one of their travel fixtures against their main competitors, Arsenal, Manchester City, or Manchester United. This Friday, United of that trio get their chance, and based on current form they are seldom in a stronger position to try it.

The former Chelsea manager stated: ‘I don’t think coaches are always thought about as people.’

The top two teams in the early-season standings go head to head in Leigh Sports Village in an evening match and, even though the WSL season is just four games old, Manchester United go into Friday’s fixture with the best defensive record in the competition. History supports the visitors however, since the most damning statistic among them could be the following: United have not defeated their rivals in the WSL.

In fact, they have secured only one draw from their 11 previous WSL encounters. Nevertheless, the home team’s head coach, Marc Skinner, urges his squad to believe. “It’s by far the most difficult test in the WSL right now, of course it is,” the manager commented. “Our aim to try to break that run on Friday but it’s difficult.

“They are a highly efficient machine. They have exceptional quality, depth and quality, that they’ve built over many seasons. I expect the most demanding of challenges on Friday and we’ve got to be ready.

“I really think, you can hurt Chelsea with the ball, but you’ve got to be brave in doing that, as it’s higher risk because they’re really good in one-on-ones. You have to be confident in your ability to beat them, you have to show the opposition that you can.”

The Manager’s Perspective on the Unbeaten Run

For Bompastor, who oversaw a clean sweep of trophies last season in her first season in the WSL, the numbers are not significant. “This story about the unbeaten run is more for the journalists,” she stated. “Our season began this season with a clean slate, we won four games all played, and we want to approach each fixture aiming to win. It is early in the season, we did not achieve much yet.”

Bompastor has fond memories of playing at the venue, because that was the place her team secured the previous championship in late April, with a 1-0 victory thanks to a Lucy Bronze goal. This time they face a United side who have conceded only one goal in four matches and the coach noted: “United appear solid and they have made a good start this term.

“In these games, it is typically tough. Perhaps teams generate [fewer] chances than in other fixtures and you need to ensure your side is precise and efficient. I think that’s what determines the outcome in top-tier contests.”

Star Attackers to Watch

The joint-leading scorers in the WSL this term are set to feature for both teams: United’s Melvine Malard has netted four times from four WSL appearances, just like the Blues' Aggie Beever-Jones, scoring in every game.

The manager remarked, of the the English forward's flourishing form: “Since I arrived at the club, it was clear that Aggie was a highly skilled player with a lot of ability, and also a well-rounded performer.

“Defensively she is great; she is the initial player in the frontline to apply the pressure. Offensively, we have been putting in effort alongside her, trying so she can become as successful possible in many aspects of her play. Currently, she is really confident [and] that’s great for the team.”

The Importance of the First Goal

A common saying in football that the “first goal will be decisive” but this appears especially true here; Manchester United have not lost in all of the last twenty-five WSL games in which they have taken the first goal. Should they finally end their wait for a maiden victory against Chelsea, it could represent the first major twist in the WSL title race.