Chelsea's Powerful Streak Meets Most Challenging Test Yet in the North

A period of more than 500 days and counting from the London club last lost a WSL game. That statement by itself highlights their exceptional quality, and whichever way you view the numbers, they are daunting. Consider such examples: “The French manager has not lost a WSL game in 15 months as coach,” “She claimed victory in 23 of her 26 WSL games without defeat” or “The coach remains undefeated in 34 league matches since moving to England.” All are accurate, all sound commanding, and—following four wins from four this season—they are showing little indication of easing up.

Who Can End This Run?

Sooner or later, the champions are bound to drop points in a WSL match. It might not be now, maybe not in 2025, it might not even be during this campaign. Maybe it won’t even be during this parliament, but eventually it will happen, and logic indicates that the fixtures where the unbeaten run has the highest probability of concluding is in one of their travel fixtures against key title rivals, the Gunners, Manchester City, or Manchester United. This Friday, United of that trio will have their turn, and based on current form they have rarely been better placed to try it.

The former Chelsea manager once remarked: ‘It’s rare that coaches are thought about as people.’

Leading sides in the early-season table face off in Leigh under the lights and, even though the WSL campaign is only four rounds old, Manchester United enter the match with the strongest defensive record in the league. History supports Chelsea however, since the most damning stat of all is this: United have never beaten Chelsea in the WSL.

Actually, they have managed only one draw from their 11 previous WSL meetings. Even so, the home team’s manager, Marc Skinner, urges his team to believe. “It’s by far the toughest challenge in the WSL right now, of course it is,” the manager commented. “Our aim to try to end their streak on Friday but it’s difficult.

“They’re such a highly efficient unit. They have incredible quality, depth and talent, developed through the years. I expect the toughest of tests on Friday and we’ve got prepare fully.

“I really think, it is possible to damage Chelsea in possession, but you need to be brave to attempt it, as it’s higher risk because they excel in one-on-ones. You have to be confident in your ability to defeat them, you have to show the opposition you are capable.”

Bompastor’s Perspective on the Unbeaten Run

According to the coach, who led a domestic treble last term in her first season in the WSL, the numbers are not significant. “The narrative about the unbeaten run is mostly of interest to the media,” she stated. “We started this season from zero, we won four games out of four, and our goal is to go into every game with the desire for victory. We are only the beginning, we did not achieve anything yet.”

The former Lyon coach has fond memories of visiting Leigh, as that was the place her team clinched the previous championship on 30 April, via a 1-0 victory thanks to a Bronze goal. This time they face a Manchester United team who have let in just one in four matches and Bompastor said: “United appear solid and they’ve had a good start to the season.

“In these games, it’s always challenging. Perhaps teams generate [fewer] chances compared to other fixtures and it is crucial to ensure you are precise and effective. 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 on either side: Manchester United’s Malard has netted four times in four WSL appearances, as does the Blues' Aggie Beever-Jones, scoring in each match.

Bompastor said, regarding the English forward's excellent performance: “Since I joined Chelsea, I could recognise that Aggie was a really good player with a lot of talent, and additionally a well-rounded player.

“Defensively she has been great; she is the first one in the frontline to apply the pressure. In possession, the staff has working hard alongside her, aiming so she can become as effective possible in various areas of her play. Right now, she appears really confident [and] that’s great the squad.”

The Importance of the Opening Score

It is a cliche in soccer is that “early goal will be decisive” but this appears especially true in this match; Manchester United have not lost in all of the last twenty-five WSL games in which they scored the lead. If they can finally end the drought for a maiden victory against Chelsea, it would be the initial significant twist in the WSL championship battle.