WSL: Chelsea's Unbeaten Run Ends as City Move Clear

Chelsea's 585-day unbeaten run in the Women's Super League ends after a defeat to Everton; Manchester City rise six points clear, tightening the title race.

Chelsea's 585-day unbeaten run in the Women's Super League ends after a dramatic setback against Everton. It caps 34 league games and reshapes the title outlook as Manchester City move six points clear at the top.

City showed resolve to take control, edging past their rivals and extending a run of strong results that has propelled them ahead in the standings.

City strike as Chelsea falters

City delivered late, combining smart build‑up with clinical finishing to claim the win. Their performance demonstrated the growing depth and consistency required to sustain a title challenge.

Chelsea's night of missed chances

Chelsea dominated possession and created numerous opportunities, registering 30 shots with 18 corners and 61 touches in the Everton box, yet they could not convert. Former England international Fara Williams said Chelsea looked in control and dangerous, but a lack of finishing cost them. Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor added the performance was not poor, but the goals simply did not arrive.

Injuries and selection choices also shaped the evening: Livia Peng had to cope with the pressure at left back as Everton pressed, while Keira Walsh took on a holding role in midfield, highlighting a mobility gap compared with the best in the league.

We can see the big picture remains the league title; the run was a remarkable story, but dropping points hurts the pursuit, Williams noted. Bompastor echoed that sentiment, stressing that while the display was solid, finishing was the missing element.

Momentum for City

Earlier, City needed a strong finish against Leicester, finally breaking through after 70 minutes and sealing a 3-0 win that kept their momentum intact. Kerolin's late impact added pace and urgency, with Khadija Shaw scoring twice and providing a stoppage-time assist for her compatriot.

Shaw said patience at halftime paid off as the team stuck to their plan and converted when the openings appeared.

City have now won nine consecutive league games against teams from the bottom half or newly promoted sides, underlining their resilience. The upcoming clash with Chelsea on February 1 will be a pivotal test for both sides as the title race tightens.

Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie return for another season of the Women’s Football Weekly podcast on INLIBER Sounds. New episodes drop every Tuesday, with interviews and extra content from the Women’s Super League on the podcast feed.

Expert comment

Fara Williams highlighted Chelsea's control and the missed finishing, while Sonia Bompastor stressed that the performance was far from poor and that the finishing touch needs to improve in upcoming games.

Short summary

Chelsea's long unbeaten WSL run ends with a defeat to Everton, snapping a 585-day streak across 34 league games. Manchester City move six points clear, signaling a momentum shift in the title race. Chelsea face a tough spell ahead and must respond quickly to stay in the hunt, starting with the rematch against City. The season remains closely contested, with City in a strong position.