Manchester City move six points clear with second half dominance at the King Power

Leicester City Women hosted Manchester City Women at the King Power Stadium this weekend. The Blues aimed to remain at the top of the Barclays Women’s Super League table with a victory over the foxes.

Both sides looked to shape the trajectory of their campaigns heading into the final month of the year. Whilst the Foxes aimed to prove they can compete with the league's elite as they continue to build under their evolving system, Manchester City showed dominance to maintain their title-chasing momentum retain their place at the top of the league.  

This meeting promised intensity, quality and plenty on the line for both teams. But ultimately, City reminded why they have pushed six points clear in the WSL and are currently front runners in the race for silverware this season.

Andrée Jegerletz’s pre-match thoughts

Following the final international break of the year, Manchester City’s head coach, Andrée Jegerletz spoke about the positives of having so many big presences in the international setup:  

"No, it's been great. I think we haven't been in that many places in the session, of course everybody's, luckily we have players in international teams. So, a lot of them are there and the others have been in training.

It's time for a little bit to sum up the last weeks. But it was just their games, I think, between the international team not that many think from that. I think we're in a good position with the team."

Jegerletz was reminded of his WSL Manager of the Month award for November, and spoke about what this means for him and the work he is doing in Manchester:

"I think everybody likes to be appreciated for the job that they are doing, so it's a special feeling."

Regarding team news, Manchester City face both positive and negative updates. During the international break, both Sydney Lohmann and Khiara Keating unfortunately had to withdraw from camp, but Jegerletz did not share much regarding the timeframe on their return to the squad:

"They won't be able to participate in this coming game, we see how they are next week.” 

Whilst Alex Greenwood still remains sidelined with her long-term injury, both Kerolin Nicoli and Lily Murphy returned to full training and featured in the win over Leicester City. Speaking on their return, the head coach seemed pleased to have more options:

“I think we just look at the squad that has been playing the last week and so on and add these two players with their qualities as the individual football players and will of course give out more options.”

There is no doubt that Jegerletz drives City’s ambition and shares the belief that they can head into the New Year in a strong position: the squad will keep grinding to put themselves in the best possible place for their hopes of silverware:

“I think we are very good at working from week to week and then we will definitely do that. We are looking forward to the game in two days and we're working so hard today and we'll do it tomorrow also. Nobody is thinking what's happening in these weeks because we need to be here now and focusing on the letter that's here, we have in our minds right now.”

Recent form 

Recently, Manchester City have emerged as front runners in the WSL title race, winning all six of their last six matches. Their attacking output has been sharp, particularly in their biggest wins, showcasing the fluidity and depth in their forward play.

The environment at the club seems fully positive, with the team looking confident and in complete control as they push to stay at the top of the league.

Thanks to a brace from Khadija Bunny Shaw and a goal from Kerolin on her return to the starting eleven, City boosted their position significantly. A shock 1-0 defeat for defending Champions, Chelsea, to an in-form Everton side allowed Jegerletz to capitalise on the top spot. Manchester City now remain six points clear at the top of the table.

Now, the Blues must continue to work hard on the training pitch and maintain together as a squad to continue their unbeaten campaign in the 2025/26 season.

Key players to watch 

For City, there is no doubt that Shaw is one to watch when it comes to goalscorers. A powerful and clinical force for Manchester City, the striker brings exceptional strength, movement and finishing ability, consistently leading the line with confidence and turning even the smallest chances into real danger for opposition defences. With another two goals to her name this weekend, her personal goal of achieving the WSL Golden Boot at the end of the season is certainly in sight, should she maintain this form.

Another player to watch is Laura Blindkilde-Brown. Since the start of the season, the midfielder has come into her own and dominated the midfield in a City shirt. Her fluidity and calmness on the ball allows the Blues to create attacking opportunities and maintain possession. Now a regular member of Sarina Wiegman’s England squad, her personal goal will be pushing for more minutes on the international stage.  

Ending the year on a high

The Manchester side face Aston Villa in their final home WSL fixture of the year on Sunday. Continuing their impressive form and goalscoring prowess is vital in this match, more than anything to prove they are capable of retaining their six-point advantage in the table.

Jegerletz will have all eyes on dominating a struggling Villa side, putting his squad in the best position over the Christmas period. Squad rotation and maintaining player fitness is vital, with a heavy fixture schedule ahead for the Blues.

The ultimate question is whether City are able to remain consistent and prove themselves front runners in the title race, finally overcoming a dominant and successful Chelsea side in the WSL.