Khadija Shaw struck an 86th-minute winner as Manchester City beat London City Lionesses 2-1, stretching a perfect run near the top of the Women’s Super League. The result, combined with Chelsea’s defeat to Arsenal, moved Manchester City nine points clear of the defending champions and kept a 12-match winning streak in the top flight alive.
The weekend programme also reshaped both ends of the WSL table. Manchester United produced a heavy win over Aston Villa to stabilise their campaign. Liverpool finally claimed a first league victory of the season, yet still sit bottom, while West Ham gained vital points against fellow relegation contenders Leicester City.
Manchester City’s meeting with London City was tense despite Kerolin scoring early. Freya
Godfrey levelled, and Isobel Goodwin struck the frame of the goal twice as London City pressed. Shaw then reacted quickest to a loose ball and fired in late. London City are now without a win in four WSL fixtures.
Frame it. pic.twitter.com/vCXCV4fG5VManchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) January 25, 2026
Chelsea had opened the door in the WSL title race when Arsenal beat them 2-0 on Saturday. Manchester City then took advantage a day later. The current leaders have now won 12 successive league matches and are only the second team, after Chelsea last season, to take 12 wins from the first 13 games.
Manchester United eased pressure with a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa. Julia Zigiotti Olme put Manchester United ahead, but Kirsty Hanson equalised quickly. The match turned after the interval as the hosts scored three times in eight second-half minutes, with Elisabeth Terland, Jessica Park and Hanna Lundkvist all finding the net.
Liverpool defeated Tottenham 2-0 at home to record a first league win of this WSL season. Liverpool had previously finished more matches without a shot on target than any other side, with two such games. This time they forced five efforts on goal, and substitute Mia Enderby struck twice in second-half stoppage time.
WSL data debrief and key statistics
Underlying numbers from Manchester City’s win highlight how balanced the WSL contest was. London City produced chances worth 1.7 expected goals, while Manchester City finished on 1.99 xG. Shaw attempted four shots, second only to Vivianne Miedema’s five across the league weekend, and recorded nine touches inside the opposition penalty area.
| WSL match | Score | Key details |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester City vs London City Lionesses | 2-1 | Kerolin and Khadija Shaw for Manchester City; Freya Godfrey for London City |
| Arsenal vs Chelsea | 2-0 | Chelsea defeated, gap to Manchester City extended to nine points |
| Manchester United vs Aston Villa | 4-1 | Goals from Julia Zigiotti Olme, Elisabeth Terland, Jessica Park, Hanna Lundkvist; Kirsty Hanson replied |
| Liverpool vs Tottenham | 2-0 | Mia Enderby scored twice in second-half stoppage time |
| West Ham vs Leicester City | 2-1 | West Ham moved one point ahead of bottom-place Liverpool |
These results keep Manchester City in control of the WSL title race, while Chelsea face renewed pressure after defeat to Arsenal. Liverpool’s late surge, West Ham’s win and Manchester United’s response against Aston Villa all shape a competitive table at both ends as the campaign’s second half continues.
