🔗 Share this article

It has been more than 500 days from the London club last lost a Women’s Super League game. This fact alone highlights the remarkable quality, and whichever way you view the numbers, they appear formidable. Consider such facts: “The French manager is yet to lose a WSL game in 15 months as coach,” “Bompastor claimed victory in 23 of her 26 WSL games without defeat” or “The coach is unbeaten in 34 domestic matches after arriving to England.” Each is accurate, each seems impressive, and—following four wins from four this term—they are showing little indication of slowing down.

Who Can Stop This Run?

Sooner or later, Chelsea will lose a WSL game. It might not be now, it might not be in 2025, possibly not even during this campaign. Perhaps it will not occur for some time, but one day it is inevitable, and logic indicates that the fixtures where the unbeaten run has the highest probability of concluding is in one of their travel fixtures against their main title rivals, the Gunners, City, or Manchester United. This Friday, the latter among them get their chance, and form-wise they are seldom better placed to try it.

The former Chelsea manager stated: ‘It’s rare that coaches are always thought about as human beings.’

Leading teams in the early-season standings go head to head in Leigh Sports Village under the lights and, although the WSL campaign is just four games into the schedule, Manchester United enter the match with the best defensive record in the competition. History supports the visitors though, since perhaps the starkest stat of all is the following: United have never beaten Chelsea in the WSL.

Actually, they have managed only one draw from their eleven past WSL encounters. Nevertheless, United’s head coach, Skinner, urges his squad to have faith. “Without a doubt the toughest challenge in the WSL right now, naturally,” the manager said. “Our aim to try to end their streak when we play but it’s difficult.

“They are a well-oiled unit. They have exceptional skill, squad depth and talent, developed over many seasons. Anticipate the most demanding of challenges on Friday and we’ve got to be ready.

“In my view, you can damage Chelsea with the ball, but you’ve got to be brave to attempt it, as it carries more risk because they’re really good in one-on-ones. It is essential to believe that you can beat them, you have to demonstrate the opposition that you can.”

Bompastor’s Perspective on the Unbeaten Run

For Bompastor, who led a clean sweep of trophies last term in her first season in English football, the statistics are not significant. “This story about the unbeaten run is more for the journalists,” she said. “Our season began this season from zero, we won four games out of four, and we want to approach each fixture with the desire to win. We are only the beginning, we have not accomplished much yet.”

Bompastor has fond memories of visiting Leigh, because that was the place her team clinched last season’s title in late April, via a 1-0 victory thanks to a Bronze header. Now they meet a Manchester United team that has let in just one in four matches and the coach said: “United look strong and they have made a positive beginning to the season.

“In these games, it is typically challenging. Perhaps teams generate [fewer] chances than in some of the games and you need to make sure you are clinical and efficient. I think that’s what determines the outcome in the highest-level games.”

Key Attackers to Watch

The top scorers in the WSL this season are set to feature for both teams: United’s Malard has four goals in four WSL appearances, as does the Blues' Aggie Beever-Jones, scoring in each match.

The manager said, of the the English forward's excellent performance: “From the beginning joined the club, I could recognise that she was a highly skilled footballer boasting great ability, and additionally a well-rounded performer.

“Defensively she has been great; as the first one in the frontline to apply the press. In possession, the staff has putting in effort with her, aiming for her become as effective as she can be in many aspects of her game. Right now, she appears very self-assured [and] which benefits for the team.”

Why the Opening Score

It is a cliche in football is that “early goal will be crucial” but this appears especially true here; Manchester United are unbeaten in each of the last twenty-five WSL games in which they have taken the first goal. Should they at last end the drought for a maiden victory over their rivals, it would be the initial significant turn in the WSL title race.