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A period of over 500 days and counting from Chelsea suffered a defeat in a Women’s Super League match. This fact alone highlights their exceptional performance, and no matter how you view the numbers, they appear formidable. Take such facts: “The French manager is yet to lose a WSL game in 15 months as coach,” “She has won 23 of her 26 WSL matches undefeated” or “The coach remains undefeated in 34 league matches since moving to England.” Each is true, all sound impressive, and—after four victories out of four this season—there are little indication of slowing down.

Which Team Will End The Streak?

Sooner or later, the champions are bound to drop points in a WSL match. It might not be this week, it might not be in 2025, it might not even be during this campaign. Perhaps it won’t even be for some time, but one day it will happen, and reason indicates that the fixtures where the unbeaten run has the highest probability of ending are in their travel fixtures against their main title rivals, the Gunners, Manchester City, or United. On Friday, United of that trio will have their turn, and form-wise they have rarely been in a stronger position to attempt it.

Emma Hayes once remarked: ‘It’s rare that managers are thought about as people.’

Leading sides in the initial table go head to head in Leigh in an evening match and, although the WSL season is only four rounds old, Manchester United enter Friday’s fixture with the strongest defensive record in the league. Past encounters favours Chelsea though, because the most damning statistic among them is this: United have not defeated Chelsea in the WSL.

Actually, they have secured just a single tie from their 11 previous WSL meetings. Even so, United’s head coach, Skinner, wants his squad to have faith. “It’s by far the most difficult test in the WSL right now, naturally,” the manager commented. “Our aim is to break that run on Friday but it is a challenge.

“They are a well-oiled unit. They have incredible quality, depth and quality, that they’ve built over many seasons. I expect the most demanding of tests this week and we’ve got prepare fully.

“I really think, you can damage them in possession, but you’ve got to be brave in doing that, as it carries more risk since they’re really good in duels. It is essential to be confident in your ability to beat them, you have to show Chelsea you are capable.”

Bompastor’s Perspective on the Streak

According to the coach, who oversaw a clean sweep of trophies last term in her debut campaign in the WSL, the numbers mean very little. “This story regarding the unbeaten run is mostly of interest to the journalists,” she said. “Our season began this season from zero, we won four games all played, and our goal is to go into each fixture aiming for victory. It is early in the season, we have not accomplished much so far.”

The former Lyon coach recalls positively of visiting the venue, because it was where her team clinched last season’s title in late April, with a one-nil win courtesy of a Lucy Bronze goal. This time they meet a United side who have conceded only one goal in four league games and Bompastor noted: “They look strong and they have made a good start to the season.

“In these games, it is typically tough. Maybe you create [fewer] chances than in other games and it is crucial to make sure you are precise and efficient. In my opinion that is makes the difference in the highest-level contests.”

Key Attackers to Look Out For

The top scorers in the WSL this season will be in action for both teams: United’s Malard has netted four times in four WSL appearances, just like Chelsea’s Beever-Jones, scoring in each match.

Bompastor said, of the the English forward's flourishing form: “Since I joined Chelsea, it was clear that Aggie was a highly skilled player with a lot of talent, and additionally a well-rounded player.

“Defensively she has been great; as the initial player among forwards applying the press. Offensively, we have been putting in effort alongside her, trying for her to be as successful possible in many aspects of her game. Currently, she is very self-assured [and] which benefits the squad.”

Why the First Goal

It is a cliche in soccer that the “first goal will be decisive” but this appears particularly relevant here; Manchester United are unbeaten in each of the last twenty-five WSL games in which they scored the lead. If they can at last stop their wait for a maiden victory against their rivals, it could represent the initial significant turn in the WSL championship battle.