Chelsea or Man City will set surprising record this season, proving the WSL is more competitive than ever
Chelsea and Manchester City have reached a title showdown in what has surely been the most competitive WSL season yet.
In a battle which could still come down to goal difference, the most unexpected results have proved to be decisive this season.
Chelsea's 4-3 defeat to Liverpool stands out as the most recent shock.
But Man City have had their own share of upsets, including a 1-0 defeat to Brighton back in November and both their 2-1 losses to Arsenal.
And whichever of the two goes on to eventually lift the trophy this year, they will set a remarkable new precedent in the league.
For the first time ever in the WSL, the title-winner will have lost at least three games in the season.
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Previously, no team has ever won the WSL after having lost three or more games but this record is now set to change after Chelsea and Man City both suffered their third defeats of the season.
For Emma Hayes' Chelsea, their losses have come in the form of a 1-0 loss to Man City and a 4-1 loss to Arsenal, in addition to their Liverpool defeat.
The fact that one of the two sides will still go on to lift the title despite such a relatively high number of losses is telling.
It is reflective of the narrowing gap between the top teams in the league and those who are challenging to break into the traditional hierarchy.
Liverpool have been the perfect example of that this season, as they are on track to finish inside the top four ahead of Manchester United this season.
No side other than Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea or Man United have finished within the top four since 2019, showing just how significant the Reds' achievement would be.
What is even more surprising is that it is still possible that the eventual title winner could actually end up losing four games.
Gareth Taylor's Man City side have just one game remaining, while Chelsea have two more - and it is conceivable that they could both lose a further game and still lift the trophy.
With third-placed Arsenal out of the running for the title, one out of Chelsea and Man City will be lifting the title - but they will do so at the end of what will be the weakest WSL title-winning campaign ever.
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