Halftime in the WSL: the season so far

As the second half of the Women’s Super League season kicks off, we look at the state of play.

The first ten matchdays of the 2023/24 WSL season have seen record crowds, blockbuster clashes, and thrilling upsets - and the foundations are laid for what looks to be a tight title race. 

But there’s intrigue all the way down the table: the competition for Champions League football next year is tighter than ever, with Manchester United and Liverpool chasing the top three. Teams in the bottom half of the table have proven themselves capable of going toe-to-toe with the top clubs, and the battle to stay in the top flight is far from settled.

We take a look at the highlights so far - and what to watch out for as the league resumes.

Closing the gap

The WSL is finally reaching the status of a truly competitive league - though a gap in quality between the top and bottom sides is undeniable, every team now expects to compete in every fixture. Nobody can afford to rest on their laurels - as shown on the very first day when Liverpool stunned Arsenal with a 1-0 win in front of 54,000 fans at the Emirates. In December the Gunners would be shocked again, as rivals Tottenham Hotspurs beat them for the first time in the WSL, agonisingly costing them the chance to go three points clear at the top of the table. Manchester United, who recorded their highest-ever points tally and position in the 2022/23 campaign, were frustrated in draws with Leicester City and Brighton and Hove Albion, as well as their first-ever WSL defeat to Liverpool. Brighton also pulled off an upset away at Manchester City at the Joie Stadium. It is only Chelsea, the current league leaders and reigning champions, who have kept an unbeaten record against teams outside the top three - the gap between the top and the rest continues to narrow.

Mid-table sides prove their ambition

One of the most intriguing developments this season has been the emergence, possibly for the first time since the league’s expansion to twelve teams, of a real challenge to the existing top four. Only goal difference separates Manchester United (fourth) from Liverpool below them. After two seasons in the Championship, Liverpool returned to a seventh-place finish last year - and have surpassed many’s expectations this season, beating both Arsenal and United. Matt Beard’s side are keeping pace with the top four and will not see a Champions League place as out of their grasp, though they’ve yet to bring in talent to help their ambitions in the January window. 

Tottenham, despite a handful of disappointing draws and a painful 7-0 drubbing by Manchester City, are only three points behind the top five and proved their quality with a historic derby victory in December. Robert Vilahamn has strengthened his squad in another productive transfer window after bringing in top scorer Martha Thomas in the summer - notably with the additional of Australian defender Charli Grant. Fans will hope Grant can shore up their side’s defence, which has so far kept only one clean sheet this season.

Whose January signings will pay off?

In fact, several clubs have shown their ambitions for the second half of the season by bringing in reinforcements. Everton, in seventh, have added to the Danish contingent at the club under Brian Sorensen, bringing in Arsenal loanee Kathrine Møller Kühl and striker Rikke Madsen. Leicester City have signed forward Yuka Momiki and midfielder Saori Takarada as they look to continue their progress under Willie Kirk. They finished last season on only sixteen points, five clear of the bottom, but have already garnered ten points this season and sit eighth. League draws with Manchester United and Tottenham, and a victory against Manchester City on penalties in the Continental Cup, show their improvement. Consistency remains an issue, with the Foxes winless since October, but their new signings will add valuable experience. Clubs in the middle of the table closing the quality gap with the top four renders the whole league a far more compelling prospect for international talent, a cycle that will only drive standards of competition even higher. 

The title race 

For this season at least, though, the title is only a realistic prospect for the usual suspects. The table is currently headed by (who else?) reigning champions Chelsea, hunting their fifth consecutive WSL title - a fitting parting gift for manager Emma Hayes, soon to depart to lead the US Women’s National Team. But it’s far from an unobstructed victory lap for Hayes’ side - though they’re currently three points clear at the top, second and third-placed Manchester City and Arsenal will smell blood. The Blues only just stole a point in added-time in a controversial contest in Manchester (where City saw two players sent off) and were recently defeated 4-1 by their London rivals in front of a record-breaking crowd at the Emirates. With the additional burden of an ongoing Champions League campaign on the players and the loss of star striker Sam Kerr to an ACL injury over the break, Chelsea have little room for error if they’re to complete their unprecedented 5-year streak. 

Manchester City are looking to secure a first title since 2016, having bounced back from missing out on Champions League football this year. Their top goalscorer Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw is flanked by Lionesses Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp, a formidable front line, while teenage goalkeeping talent Khiara Keating has made headlines by establishing herself as their number one. A statement win against their neighbours at Old Trafford in November was a highlight of their campaign so far - and a stark contrast from the derby loss in May of last year that effectively killed their European hopes. This is a City team determined to restore what they see as their rightful place in the top three, and they seem prepared to push Chelsea to the wire in the title race.

But snapping at their heels are Arsenal: level on points with City and bolstered by the return of Beth Mead and Vivian Miedema, the Gunners are looking forward to an arguably easier resumption to the campaign than their rivals. Chelsea return to action against Manchester United and then must prepare for a midweek clash with Real Madrid, while City face surprise climbers Liverpool, followed by a derby cup tie with United. These are tough prospects for the top two - whereas Arsenal face 7th-placed Everton, and a cup tie against struggling Championship side Reading. A golden opportunity to close the gap on their two blue rivals might well present itself right at the outset of their 2024 fixtures - and the hotly anticipated return of skipper Leah Williamson will only serve to bolster them. 

It promises to be a tantalising title race, and one the top three will not get to settle between them. Manchester United sit four points behind Arsenal, a stat that will have Marc Skinner reminiscing on missed opportunities against teams like Brighton and Liverpool. It would take a miracle for Skinner’s side to challenge for the title now, but they have direct opportunities to break into the European spots. The Reds face Chelsea in their first game back, and could spoil Arsenal’s party in front of another huge crowd at the Emirates in February - United wins in either match could seriously hurt their opponents’ title hopes. Liverpool, of course, are breathing down their necks - could the race for the third Champions League spot this year be the best ever?

Fighting for their place

The fight to stay in the WSL is equally fierce. Promotees Bristol City are currently staring down an immediate return to the Championship - but won’t be giving up without a fight. They pulled off absorbing draws against both Merseyside clubs in the first half of the campaign, and have brought in keeper Shae Yanez from the NWSL in an attempt to toughen up a wobbly defence that has conceded 26 goals so far. West Ham United, despite having been in the WSL since its expansion to 11 teams, are only ahead of them on goal difference. They have made headlines with their signings this month, bringing in US international Kristie Mewis, Matildas midfielder Katrina Gorry, and Canadian defender Shelina Zadorsky - but will either solve the Hammers’ problems in front of goal? They have scored only 8 times so far this season, the lowest tally in the division. Unless their new signings can help them find the net, West Ham could be in serious trouble. Brighton and Aston Villa, though likely clear of the relegation battle, still have work to do to satisfy fans. Villa have particularly drawn attention - they’ve seen a fall from grace since their fifth-place finish and progress to the FA Cup semi-finals last year, sitting ninth at the break and already out of the Cup. Injuries have also left them searching, so far without success, for a new centre back this window. Manager Carla Ward is under pressure to get the best out of a side not short of talent, but with only three wins from their first ten games - all against sides below them in the table. 

With multiple clubs struggling for results and having sought to strengthen their squads this winter, the battle at the bottom of the table looks as fascinating as the one at the top.

What to look out for

With ten matchdays played and twelve remaining, nobody’s place in the table is settled - and there are mouth-watering match-ups coming that will shape the final standings. A real feast in the title race comes in mid-February, with two top-four clashes in London - Chelsea host Manchester City while Arsenal will be looking to sell out the Emirates against United. 

However, those who focus their attention solely on the title race will miss out. As the campaign nears its end there are several match-ups where both sides could find themselves in desperate need of three points. Liverpool and Manchester United face off at the beginning of May, in a contest that could well determine either’s chances of European football. At the other end of the table, Bristol City and West Ham may both be seeking upsets against mid-table sides on the final day. The Robins will close their campaign against Everton, while the Hammers meet rivals Tottenham - if both those sides are still fighting for their place in the division, those contests are likely to be fierce. 

And, of course, if the contest for the WSL title goes to the wire again, there are blockbuster fixtures to be had in the final fortnight. Manchester City go up against Arsenal in their penultimate fixture, potentially deciding who keeps the title in sight on the last day of the season, and the final day will see Manchester United host Chelsea at Old Trafford. Could Skinner’s Reds ruin Emma Hayes’ send-off? 

As the WSL resumes, fans can look forward to four more thrilling months of football. Each team has something to play for: whether that be their place in the top flight, their manager’s job, the chance of Champions League football, or the title itself.