In seasons gone by, Chelsea have led the way, winning games relentlessly – but this time City are playing that role.

Chelsea are scoring far less regularly, with 24 league goals in 13 games so far compared with 38 by this stage last season.

They have conceded eight goals – two more than at this stage a year ago. While that is still the current best defensive record in the WSL, they are keeping fewer clean sheets – six in 13 games this season compared with nine last year.

On-pitch performances back up the numbers.

When Chelsea kicked off their title defence with a 2-1 win over Manchester City on the opening night back in September, it suggested they would be the team to beat once again in 2025-26.

That evening Bompastor’s side exhibited every ounce of their ruthless, winning nature. The problem is, it has not been consistently evident since.

In the autumn, nervy wins over Aston Villa, Leicester and Tottenham enabled them to keep pace at the top of the table but a run of three draws in four slowed momentum.

At that stage, nine games in, Manchester City’s lead at the top was just three points but the true sickener for Chelsea was the 1-0 loss at home to struggling Everton.

That was Sonia Bompastor’s first loss since succeeding Emma Hayes in the summer of 2024, and ended her side’s 34-game unbeaten league run.

That handed City a six-point advantage, which they retained into the winter break.

Although Chelsea kicked off 2026 with a 5-0 thrashing of West Ham, City are yet to blink. Instead, Chelsea have been the team to falter again, this time losing to London rivals Arsenal on their own patch.

Former Blues midfielder Fara Williams summed it up best on BBC One: “Chelsea just didn’t turn up.”