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WSL & WSL2 Winter Break Check-In
- Sophie Hurst
- Dec 28, 2025
- 4 min read
As the leagues pause for the Christmas break, one thing’s clear: women’s football in England isn’t slowing down, it’s levelling up. From Manchester City setting a ruthless early pace to WSL2 turning into the most exciting promotion race we’ve seen in years, this season already feels like a statement.
Let’s get into it.
WSL1
City Are Setting the Mood
At the top, Manchester City are doing what pace-setters do best: control the room. Unbeaten after 10 games and sitting six points clear, Andrée Jeglertz’s side have been calm, consistent, and quietly dominant.
With no Champions League football, there are fewer midweek distractions, smarter rotation and their full focus is on the league.
Leading the charge is, of course, Bunny Shaw. The City forward doing what she does best, reached 100 WSL goals just before the break, then added two more in the same match to tighten her grip on the Golden Boot.
The Fight for Top 3
Behind City, it’s crowded and competitive for that top 3 Champions League spot.
Chelsea sit second, but the unbeaten run finally cracked with a 1-0 home loss to Everton, their first league defeat under Sonia Bompastor. Still firmly in the title conversation, just no longer untouchable, making things a bit more interesting as the league opens up.
Arsenal have quietly found their rhythm after a stuttering start. With domestic form trending up and European football still in play, the second half of the season feels primed for a serious push.
Manchester United and Tottenham are right there too. Spurs, especially, feel like a team quietly running into great form, building momentum rather than scrambling for it. Just one point behind United, January could be telling, with reported links to Matilda Nildén, Hanna Wijk, and a potential Maika Hamano loan signalling ambition after a quiet summer.
Mid-Table - All About Momentum
The middle of the WSL table is where every point feels like a statement. Brighton, Aston Villa, Leicester, and London City are all jostling in that space where momentum is everything, one strong run can launch you into safety, one slip can pull you dangerously close to the drop zone.
London City have already made headlines off the pitch: after parting ways with their manager, rumours suggest Spanish coach Eder Maestre could be taking the reins. On the pitch, they’ve shown glimpses of flair but inconsistency has kept them hovering mid-table, inevitable for such a fresh squad, but the second half of the season will be a test of stability.
Play-off Risk
At this side of the table, things are tougher.
Liverpool head into the break winless, and the moments have been hard to watch. A 9–1 Subway League Cup defeat to Chelsea was a brutal snapshot of the gap they’re trying to close. Losing Olivia Smith (to Arsenal for a record fee) and Taylor Hinds without fully replacing them has shown, and under Gareth Taylor, a new style is still bedding in with limited investment and a long list of injuries.
At West Ham, the reset button has already been hit. Rehanne Skinner departed with immediate effect, and Rita Guarino has now stepped in as head coach, with Steve Kirby staying on as assistant. More staff announcements are expected, because the second half is survival mode.
Everton, meanwhile, have had a notable highlight: a hard-fought 1–0 win over Chelsea. a reminder at just how dramatic the WSL can be… any side can rise to the occasion on their day.
Some Extra Stats
Golden Boot: Bunny Shaw (Manchester City)
Golden Glove: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), still leading despite a month out injured
Top Assists: Ella Toone (Manchester United), with Kerstin Casparij quietly cooking from defence
Discipline: Amanda Nildén, Clare Hunt, and Nikita Parris are all one yellow away from suspension
Injuries: eight ACL injuries already this season, including Michelle Agyemang, Manu Zinsberger, and Sophie Roman Haug
WSL2
With league expansion confirmed, the prize is huge: top two go up automatically, third gets a playoff shot at WSL1. Three potential promotion spots a real opportunity and great pressure.
The Fight For Promotion
At the top, Charlton Athletic are doing it properly. Unbeaten in the league for over a year (last loss: 17 November 2024), five points clear, best defensive record, and Sophie Whitehouse leading the clean sheet charts. Promotion, while not confirmed, feels firmly in sight.
Birmingham City sit second, mixing attacking firepower with the occasional wobble. They’re in a strong position, but nothing’s guaranteed.
Bristol City are right there too, powered by youth and confidence. Rio Hardy is joint-top scorer, while Lexi Lloyd-Smith (England U23) continues to look like a breakout star.
And then there’s Newcastle United. After early inconsistency, things are clicking under new boss Tanya Oxtoby. Big-name arrivals like Jordan Nobbs and Aoife Mannion are settling, form is improving, and Nobbs has now scored in back-to-back games.
Off the pitch, however, Newcastle are unmatched. Their 18,972-strong Tyne-Wear derby crowd was the biggest across both WSL1 and WSL2 that weekend, bigger than the Manchester and North London derbies…
Moments of Magic
Crystal Palace are quietly climbing, after being relegated from the top flight last season.
Nottingham Forest, in their first ever WSL2 season, are impressing with clear investment and intent.
At the bottom, there are still bright spots.
Portsmouth have delivered moments of joy, including Georgie Freeland scoring two Olimpicos (iconic). Megan Hornby was named November Player of the Month, and Jessie Gale, on loan from Arsenal, has impressed with five goal contributions already.
Ipswich Town, also newly promoted, are finding the step up far tougher, as they sit at the bottom of the table heading into the New Year - proof that ambition needs backing.
Extra Stats:
Top contributor (goals + assists): Emily Scarr (Sunderland) = 9
Joint top scorers (6): Emily Scarr, Beth Hepple (Durham), Rio Hardy (Bristol City)
Golden Glove: Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton)
Discipline: Aoife Mannion, Charlie Devlin, Keira Flannery, Megan Hornby, Sarah Wilson are one card away from suspension
Looking Ahead
Further down the pyramid, promotion contenders for the WSL2 are emerging, with Wolves leading the National League North and AFC Bournemouth top of the South, potential new faces already on the lookout.
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