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A period of more than 500 days and counting since the London club suffered a defeat in a Women’s Super League game. That statement by itself underscores their exceptional performance, and no matter how you view the numbers, they appear formidable. Consider such examples: “Sonia Bompastor has not lost a WSL game in 15 months as coach,” “Bompastor has won 23 of her 26 WSL games without defeat” or “The coach is unbeaten in 34 domestic games after arriving to England.” All are true, each seems commanding, and—after four wins out of four this season—they are showing no signs of easing up.

Which Team Will Stop The Streak?

Eventually, the champions are bound to drop points in a WSL game. Perhaps not now, maybe not in 2025, possibly not even this season. Perhaps it will not occur during this parliament, but eventually it is inevitable, and reason suggests that the matches where the unbeaten run is most likely of concluding is in their away games against their main competitors, Arsenal, Manchester City, or Manchester United. This Friday, the latter among them get their chance, and based on current form they have rarely been in a stronger position to attempt it.

The former Chelsea manager stated: ‘It’s rare that coaches are thought about as human beings.’

The top two teams in the initial standings face off in Leigh Sports Village in an evening match and, although the WSL season is just four games old, the Red Devils enter the match with the strongest defensive record in the competition. History supports 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 secured only one draw from their 11 previous WSL encounters. Even so, the home team’s head coach, Skinner, wants his team to believe. “It’s by far the toughest test in the WSL right now, of course it is,” the manager commented. “Our aim is to break that run when we play but it’s difficult.

“They are a well-oiled machine. Possessing exceptional quality, depth and quality, developed over many seasons. Anticipate the most demanding of tests this week and we must to be ready.

“I really think, it is possible to hurt Chelsea in possession, but you’ve got to show courage to attempt it, because it’s higher risk because they’re really good in duels. You have to believe in your ability to beat them, you have to demonstrate Chelsea that you can.”

Bompastor’s View on the Unbeaten Run

For Bompastor, who oversaw a domestic treble last term in her first season in English football, the numbers mean very little. “The narrative regarding the unbeaten run is mostly of interest to the journalists,” she said. “We started anew with a clean slate, with four matches out of four, and we want to approach every game aiming to win. We are early in the season, we have not accomplished much so far.”

Bompastor has fond memories of playing at Leigh, because it was where her team secured the previous title on 30 April, via a 1-0 victory thanks to a Bronze goal. This time they face a Manchester United side that has let in just one in four matches and Bompastor noted: “They appear solid and they’ve had a good start this term.

“On such occasions, it is typically challenging. Maybe you create [fewer] chances compared to some of the games and you need to ensure your side is clinical and effective. I think that’s what makes the difference in top-tier contests.”

Key Scorers to Watch

The top scorers in the WSL this term will be in action on either side: United’s Melvine Malard has netted four times in four WSL games, as does Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones, scoring in every game.

Bompastor said, of the the English forward's excellent performance: “Since I arrived at Chelsea, I could recognise that Aggie is a really good footballer with a lot of ability, and additionally a well-rounded performer.

“Defensively she is great; as the first one among forwards applying the pressure. Offensively, the staff has putting in effort alongside her, aiming so she can become as effective as she can be in many aspects of her play. Right now, she appears very self-assured [and] which benefits for the team.”

Why the First Goal

A common saying in football that the “first goal will be decisive” but this appears especially true here; United have not lost in all of the past 25 WSL fixtures in which they have taken the first goal. Should they finally end the drought for a maiden victory over their rivals, it would be the initial significant twist in the WSL title race.