Manchester City claimed its first WSL championship since 2016 on Wednesday, after Arsenal could only manage a 1-1 draw at Brighton — ending Chelsea's six consecutive title streak.
The Manchester City WSL triumph came without the team even taking the field. City entered the UK league's home stretch with a six-point lead over second-place Chelsea, while Arsenal's dropped points at Brighton mathematically clinched the title despite the Gunners having games in hand.
"I knew the ambition from the club, what they put into the women's programme, the quality of players and also the hunger to win," manager Andree Jeglertz told the BBC. "Definitely, I had a feeling already from the beginning that it was possible."
Jeglertz became just the second manager in WSL history to win the title in a debut campaign, following Chelsea's Sonia Bompastor in 2025. Manchester City dominated throughout the season behind league-leading scorer Khadija "Bunny," Shaw alongside top-scoring forwards Vivianne Miedema and Karolin.
Coming off a tough Champions League loss, Arsenal fought to keep the title race alive against Brighton & Hove Albion. However, Brighton's Fuka Tsunoda stunned the visitors with a deflected 43rd-minute strike, before Frida Maanum equalized in the 62nd minute. Despite bringing on Katie McCabe, Beth Mead, and Stina Blackstenius late in pursuit of a winner, the Gunners could not break through.
"This wouldn't have been possible without the incredible effort, belief, passion and dedication of my colleagues, the players and the fans," Jeglertz said. "But this isn't the end of the road — we still have plenty to fight for this season and in the coming years."
Manchester City now shifts focus to Sunday's FA Cup semifinal against defending champions Chelsea.
The race for Champions League qualification will likely come down to the WSL's final day on May 16th.
