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It has been over 500 days and counting since Chelsea suffered a defeat in a Women’s Super League game. That statement by itself highlights their exceptional performance, and whichever way you view the statistics, they are daunting. Take such facts: “The French manager is yet to lose a WSL game in 15 months in charge,” “She has won 23 of her 26 WSL matches without defeat” or “She remains undefeated in 34 league matches after arriving to England.” Each is true, all sound commanding, and—after four victories out of four this term—there are little indication of slowing down.

Who Can Stop The Streak?

Eventually, the champions will lose a WSL game. It might not be now, maybe not in 2025, it might not even be during this campaign. Maybe it won’t even be during this parliament, but one day it is inevitable, and reason suggests that the matches where their streak has the highest probability of ending are in their travel fixtures against key title rivals, Arsenal, City, or Manchester United. On Friday, the latter among them will have their turn, and form-wise they are seldom better placed to try it.

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

Leading sides in the initial table face off in Leigh under the lights and, although the WSL campaign is just four games into the schedule, Manchester United go into the match with the best defensive record in the league. History favours the visitors however, because the most damning stat among them could be the following: United have never beaten Chelsea in the WSL.

In fact, they have secured only one draw from their 11 previous WSL meetings. Nevertheless, the home team’s head coach, Skinner, wants his team to have faith. “It’s by far the toughest challenge in the WSL at present, of course it is,” the manager commented. “Our aim to try to break that run when we play but it is a challenge.

“They’re such a well-oiled unit. Possessing incredible skill, depth and quality, developed over many seasons. Anticipate the most demanding of challenges this week and we’ve got prepare fully.

“In my view, you can hurt Chelsea in possession, but you’ve got to show courage in doing that, as it carries more risk since they excel in one-on-ones. It is essential to be confident that you can defeat them, and show Chelsea that you can.”

Bompastor’s View on the Streak

For Bompastor, who oversaw a domestic treble last season in her first season in the WSL, the numbers mean very little. “This story about the undefeated streak is more for the journalists,” she stated. “Our season began anew from zero, we won four games out of four, and we want to go into each fixture with the desire to win. We are only the beginning, we have not accomplished anything so far.”

Bompastor has fond memories of visiting the venue, as that was the place her team secured last season’s championship on 30 April, via a one-nil victory courtesy of a Lucy Bronze header. This time they meet a Manchester United team that has let in just one in four matches and the coach noted: “United look strong and they have made a positive beginning this term.

“On such occasions, it’s always tough. Maybe teams generate [fewer] chances than in some of the fixtures and it is crucial to make sure your side is precise and effective. In my opinion that’s what determines the outcome in top-tier contests.”

Star Scorers to Watch

The top goalscorers in the WSL this season are set to feature for both teams: United’s Malard has four times in four WSL appearances, as does Chelsea’s Beever-Jones, scoring in each match.

Bompastor said, of the the English forward's excellent performance: “Since I joined the club, I could recognise that she was a highly skilled player with a lot of talent, and additionally a really complete performer.

“Out of possession she has been great; she is the initial player in the frontline to apply the pressure. In possession, we have been putting in effort alongside her, trying for her become as successful possible in various areas of her play. Currently, she is very self-assured [and] which benefits for the team.”

Why the First Goal

A common saying in football that the “early goal is decisive” but it seems especially true in this match; United are unbeaten in all of the past 25 WSL games in which they have taken the lead. Should they at last end the drought for a maiden victory against Chelsea, it could represent the initial significant twist in the WSL title race.