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It has been more than 500 days since the London club suffered a defeat in a Women’s Super League match. This fact by itself underscores the remarkable quality, and whichever way you present the statistics, they are daunting. Consider these facts: “Sonia Bompastor has not lost a WSL game after 15 months as coach,” “Bompastor claimed victory in 23 of her 26 WSL games undefeated” or “She remains undefeated in 34 league games after arriving to England.” All are accurate, each seems impressive, and—after four victories from four this term—there are little indication of slowing down.

Who Can Stop The Streak?

Sooner or later, the champions are bound to drop points in a WSL match. It might not be this week, maybe not in 2025, it might not even be during this campaign. Perhaps it won’t even be during this parliament, but eventually it will happen, and logic indicates that the fixtures where their streak has the highest probability of ending are in their travel fixtures against key competitors, the Gunners, Manchester City, or Manchester United. This Friday, the latter of that trio will have their turn, and form-wise they have rarely been better placed to try it.

Emma Hayes stated: ‘I don’t think coaches are always thought about as human beings.’

Leading teams in the initial standings face off in Leigh under the lights and, even though the WSL season is just four games into the schedule, the Red Devils enter Friday’s fixture with the strongest defensive record in the league. Past encounters favours the visitors however, since perhaps the starkest stat among them could be the following: Manchester United have not defeated Chelsea in the WSL.

Actually, they have managed only one draw from their 11 previous WSL meetings. Nevertheless, the home team’s manager, Skinner, wants his squad to have faith. “Without a doubt the most difficult test in the WSL at present, of course it is,” the manager commented. “We want is to end their streak on Friday but it’s difficult.

“They are a well-oiled unit. They have incredible skill, depth and talent, that they’ve built over many seasons. I expect the toughest of tests on Friday and we’ve got to be ready.

“In my view, it is possible to hurt them in possession, but you’ve got to be brave to attempt it, because it carries more risk because they’re really good in one-on-ones. You have to believe that you can beat them, you have to show the opposition you are capable.”

The Manager’s View on the Streak

According to the coach, who oversaw a clean sweep of trophies last season in her first season in the WSL, the numbers mean very little. “The narrative about the unbeaten run is more for the media,” she stated. “We started anew with a clean slate, we won four games out of four, and we want to approach each fixture with the desire for victory. We are only the beginning, we have not accomplished much so far.”

Bompastor recalls positively of playing at the venue, because that was the place her team clinched last season’s championship in late April, via a one-nil win thanks to a Lucy Bronze goal. This time they face a United side who have conceded only one goal in four matches and Bompastor said: “United look strong and they’ve had a positive beginning this term.

“In these games, it is typically challenging. Maybe teams generate limited opportunities compared to some of the fixtures and you need to make sure you are precise and effective. In my opinion that is makes the difference in top-tier contests.”

Star Scorers to Watch

The joint-leading goalscorers in the WSL this term will be in action on either side: United’s Malard has netted four goals from four WSL appearances, just like Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones, scoring in every game.

The manager said, regarding the English forward's flourishing form: “Since I joined the club, it was clear that Aggie was a highly skilled player with a lot of talent, and also a really complete performer.

“Defensively she is great; she is the first one among forwards applying the press. In possession, the staff has working hard alongside her, aiming so she can become as effective as she can be in many aspects of her game. Currently, she is very self-assured [and] which benefits the squad.”

The Importance of the First Goal

A common saying in football that the “early goal will be decisive” but this appears particularly relevant in this match; United are unbeaten in all of the last twenty-five WSL games in which they scored the lead. Should they finally stop their wait for a maiden victory over their rivals, it could represent the initial significant twist in the WSL title race.