The five-minute read for dedicated-ish fans of women’s football.

This week: Two weirdly similar semi-finals, City finally clinch the title and Shaw underlines her value and then some.

– Jo, founder of Twentytwo

Manchester City are WSL champions for the first time in ten years, ending Chelsea's run of six consecutive titles. Arsenal’s midweek draw at Brighton made it mathematically impossible for them to beat City, who will lift their trophy on the final day of the season. Jeglertz becomes only the third manager in WSL history to win the title in their debut campaign. "It hasn't been easy — but we had a strong belief that we could be sitting here in May and be champions."

City came agonisingly close in 2023-24, losing the title to Chelsea on goal difference. Last season they finished fourth. The turnaround in twelve months is remarkable — and a lot of it is down to Jeglertz, a quietly effective manager whose players describe him as someone who listens rather than lectures. If you haven't read The Athletic's piece on him, it's worth your time.

Arsenal beat Villa 3-0 on Sunday, but eight points behind City with one game left, it's done. United need Chelsea to drop points at Stamford Bridge on the final day to have any chance of sneaking into the Champions League places — they're currently outside the top three on goal difference. One game. Don't hold your breath.

Watch: City become champions 

Buy: The Winners Collection

🎥 Watch this if you only click one thing: The goal that secured City’s title, courtesy of Tsunoda · Watch

Both games finished 3-2. Both teams came from 2-0 down. Both winners scored in stoppage time. Honestly, you couldn't have scripted it.

Brighton are at Wembley for the first time in the women's team's history. They were getting overrun at 2-0 down before goalkeeper Nnadozie kept them in it with some huge saves late on, and substitute Noordam won it in the 95th minute from a free kick. Vidosic said before the game he had a feeling it was coming, and he wasn’t wrong!

Chelsea will be doing a lot of soul-searching. Two up with just minutes of normal time left and blew it. Fowler pulled one back, Shaw equalised in the 91st, then Hampton gifted City possession from a quick goal kick in extra time for Shaw to head in the winner. The fact that she’s reportedly joining Chelsea this summer is almost too much.

💬 Kerr had a goal disallowed in the 12th minute — the assistant ruled Carpenter's cross had gone out of play. Replays suggested otherwise.

FA Cup Final: Brighton v Manchester City · Sunday 31 May · 15:00 · Wembley

🕯️ Matt Beard's family have told a coroner's pre-inquest hearing that they believe Burnley Football Club's treatment of him contributed to the decline in his mental health and ultimately his death. Beard left Burnley in August 2025 just two months after being appointed manager of their women's team, and died the following month aged 47. Read more

🏥 Vivianne Miedema missed City's title run-in to be with her mother, who has been seriously ill — she opened up about it on Instagram the morning after City were confirmed champions, while her teammates held up her shirt during the celebrations. "I can't wait to tell mum we won the league." Read more

🏛️ The FA and US Soccer are pushing FIFA for greater control over the hosting and organisation of future Women's World Cups, amid growing frustration that the governing body retains too much authority over tournaments that host federations bear the cost and risk of staging. Read more

🏆 BK Häcken won the inaugural UEFA Women's Europa Cup, beating Swedish rivals Hammarby 4-2 on aggregate — the first Swedish club to win a European trophy since Umeå in 2004, with Felicia Schröder scoring four goals across the two legs including a hat-trick in the second. Read more

🏅 Bunny Shaw has been named the Football Writers' Association Women's Footballer of the Year, her second time winning the award, having previously taken it in 2023/24. With 19 goals in 21 games she's on track for a third consecutive WSL Golden Boot, which would be a league record. Read more

→ Brighton’s Fran Kirby: ‘Instead of running around like a headless chicken, I stand and assess’ – The Guardian

→ Khadija Shaw is women’s football most coveted player. Her Women’s FA Cup display showed why – The Athletic via Yahoo Sports

Arsenal are considering a U-turn on Katie McCabe, who had been expected to leave on a free this summer. Arsenal are now likely to make her an offer. Caitlin Foord has also been offered a new deal — both decisions driven partly by the need not to lose too many key players at once. That need is real: Beth Mead, Victoria Pelova and Laia Codina have all been confirmed as departures when their contracts expire this summer.

Lucy Staniforth is retiring at the end of the season after an 18-year career, seven WSL clubs (which is more than any player in the league's history) 17 England caps, and two back-to-back ACL injuries that would have ended most careers. She's 33 and, by her own account, completely at peace with it. Read more

Leila Ouahabi is set to leave Manchester City when her contract expires this summer — four years at the club, over 100 appearances, and now, a WSL title medal to take with her. Read more

Selina Cerci is leaving Hoffenheim on a free transfer this summer and Arsenal is her likely destination. She’s got 16 goals in 21 Frauen-Bundesliga games this season, and is top scorer in Germany for the second year running. Read more

Manchester United are open to selling Elisabeth Terland this summer. The 24-year-old rejected a contract offer in November and United would rather recoup a fee now than lose her for free next year. Read more

PSG 2026–27 Home Kit
PSG are reliving the '90s, bringing back their punchy royal blue for the first time in 25 years. They've gone for a strong, wide central stripe, and centred the crest, swoosh, and sponsor for a clean look. Love the subtle red trim on the shoulder and the tiny tricolore on the cuff. Available now

Nike Showtime Pack
Nike's wrapped up the season with pastels across the Air Zoom Mercurial, Phantom and Tiempo Maestro ranges. No real changes technically — more of a coral/sunset palette uplift. Available now

Baller FC Season Finale
Saturday 16 May · Doors 12:00 · Signature Brew Haggerston, London · Free entry
Final day of the WSL season on the big screen with live analysis from The Cutback, tattoos, art, classic shirts and tacos on the terrace. More info

Women's Football Fair 3 
Sunday 17 May · 11am–4pm · Big Penny Social, London
Kit stalls, community vibes, women's football people. One for the diary.
Tickets

WSL Relegation Play-Off — Charlton vs Leicester
Saturday 23 May · 12:30 · The Valley · Tickets here
First-ever WSL promotion/relegation play-off.

Adobe FA Cup Final — Brighton vs Man City
Sunday 31 May · 15:00 · Wembley · Tickets here

Is there a women’s football event happening near you? Give us a heads-up

Your what-not-to-miss viewing guide (BST)

WSL
Wednesday 13th May 2026

WSL Final Day
Saturday 16 May

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