How the BWSL title was won

Manchester City were, on Wednesday, crowned champions of England for the second time in their history. Here’s how they did it…

1. Making a statement of intent, even in defeat (Sept 5, 2025)

City began the season with the toughest possible test – an away trip to the reigning champions, Chelsea. The result didn’t go their way, but the performance showed everyone that they were going to be formidable opponents in the 2025-26 WSL season. City recorded more shots on target than the hosts and had a superior XG, so while they suffered a narrow 2-1 loss at Kingsmeadow, it was an illustration that Chelsea certainly weren’t going to have things their own way. The performance proved City could go toe-to-toe with the dominant force in English football. It set the standard that they’ve followed ever since.

2. A five-goal demolition (Sept 19, 2025)

City bounced back from that Chelsea loss with a narrow 2-1 win over Brighton (courtesy of goals from Bunny Shaw and Yui Hasegawa), before Andree Jegletz’s side gave notice of their attacking prowess by thrashing Tottenham 5-1 away. It started an away run which has powered their title charge, and began a trend of high-scoring victories that would eventually see them double the scoring record of almost every other team in the league.

3. A capital result against Arsenal (Oct 4, 2025)

This was the first of City’s home clashes against their London rivals and it was an afternoon to remember at the Joie Stadium, as the home side edged out Arsenal 3-2. It felt like a pivotal moment for Jeglertz’s side, and clearly showed City’s mental resilience. City had taken the lead through Shaw but were pegged back shortly after half-time. Kerstin Casparij then put them 2-1 up before Chloe Kelly equalised again with just seven minutes to go. Step forward, Iman Beney with the winner as the clock ticked down to seal the points and spell out a clear message – we’re not going anywhere. City held off a late Gunners surge before securing three precious points against the Londoners with two minutes remaining courtesy of a goal from Swiss international, Iman Beney.

4. Derby day joy at the Joie Stadium (Nov 15, 2025)

Fresh from going top of the league for the first time on November 9, City overwhelmed United 3-0 in front of over 17,000 jubilant fans at the Etihad in the first Manchester Derby of the season. The victory was a tactical masterclass from City’s Swedish boss and not only secured local bragging rights but also moved City into a commanding position at the summit of the table as they entered the winter break. Goals from Rebecca Knaak, Shaw and Lauren Hemp ultimately secured a comfortable win.

5. Demolishing Aston Villa (Dec 14, 2025)

City finished the 2025 calendar year in the most emphatic way possible. The club destroyed Aston Villa 6-1, with their Jamaican star bagging four goals to cement City’s place at the top of the BWSL. The match highlighted the squad's depth and ensured they entered the new year, not just with significant momentum but also with a sizable goal-difference advantage.

**6. The Etihad masterclass: 5-1 vs Chelsea (Feb 1, 2026)
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If evidence was needed of just how far this City side had come, it was provided in front of a crowd of over 13,000 at the Etihad as Chelsea came to town. On the opening day, City had played better football but found themselves on the wrong end of the result. This time they made sure there was no repeat of the latter. City avenged their opening-day loss to the champions by securing a crushing 5-1 win. This time, Kerolin was the star turn in a bewitching display which saw the Brazilian score a superb hat-trick. The result effectively broke the title race wide open and handed City a psychological and mathematical edge that they’ve shown no sign of relinquishing since. Not surprisingly, City players Bunny Shaw and Kerolin voted this win as their highlight of the campaign.

7. February goal fest v Leicester (Feb 13, 2026)

If City have been obdurate and occasionally brilliant away from home this season, they’ve been simply irresistible in Manchester. Just 12 days after dismantling Chelsea, they repeated the feat against Leicester City. The game finished 6-0 but the result could have been even more emphatic. The win maintained their 100% record at the Joie Stadium – and also illustrated Shaw’s importance to their title charge. The 29 year old opened the scoring and then put on a technical masterclass as the remaining five goals were shared around a side which suddenly looked unstoppable.

8. Silencing Old Trafford (Mar 28, 2026)

City effectively put one hand on the trophy with a comprehensive 3-0 away win against Manchester United. Winning both derbies by a combined score of 6-0 underlined the shift in power in Manchester and left City needing only a handful of points from their final games to be officially crowned champions. They sprinted into a 2-0 lead courtesy of goals from Vivianne Miedema – who became the first player to score ten-plus goals a season in five different seasons – before Casparij added the coup de grace, four minutes after half-time in front of almost 25,000 fans at Old Trafford.

9. Good things come to those who wait (May 3, 2026)

After losing to Brighton & Hove Albion a week earlier, City needed a win against Liverpool in front of a sold-out home crowd to solidify their position ahead of a hungry Arsenal, themselves crunching through their games in hand in pursuit of top spot. However, Liverpool proved solid party poopers, and it looked as though they might frustrate City just when things mattered most.

City kept going, though, and they were rewarded late on when Rebecca Knaak scored deep into stoppage time, the German defender heading into the bottom corner from Alex Greenwood’s whipped corner. It represented the Blues’ 16th goal from a set piece, and their eleventh top-flight goal after the 80th minute, the joint-highest across the division. This equates to eight points collected after the 80th minute in the top-flight this term, which is the most of any side in 2025-26. Resilient. Patient. The stuff of champions, you might say.

10. Always loved Seagulls, (6 May, 2026)

Watching the Brighton-Arsenal game as a group, the City squad lived out all the highs and lows of this decisive game together. There was genuine cause for hope for City that the result would go their way. After all, Brighton had beaten them just ten days earlier and haven’t lost since a 2-1 defeat by Chelsea on 18 March. The Seagulls went ahead too thanks to Fuka Tsunoda, but then an Arsenal equaliser, and a tense end to the game. There were two penalty appeals… but the final whistle brought an end to Arsenal’s hopes and, at the same time, confirmed City as champions for the first time since 2016.

Andree Jegletz’ is now the second manager in BWSL history to win the title in their first season. His team have won 17 of 21 games so far, including a 13-match winning run from September to February. The Blues enjoyed a 100% record at home.

Word credit: Rich Edwards & Nick Judd