Women’s Super League: A Statistical Review at the Winter Break

As the Women’s Super League reaches its halfway mark, defending champions Chelsea hold the top position, ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal. Crystal Palace occupies the last spot in the standings during their inaugural season in the top division, with Leicester trailing them by a single point. Below is an examination of some of Opta’s significant statistics from the current season. Chelsea’s lead of six points over second-placed Manchester City represents the widest margin between the top two teams at the winter break since the 2017-18 season. With 28 points accumulated from 10 matches this season (W9 D1), Chelsea has achieved the highest points total for any team at this juncture in the WSL. Manchester United has allowed only three goals in the WSL; historically, only Manchester City, who were eventual champions in 2016, conceded fewer goals (2) after 10 matches. Among teams outside the current top three in the WSL, Brighton holds the leading position for average possession (53.2%), total passes completed (4,917), and open-play sequences involving 10 or more passes (105). Under Renee Slegers, Arsenal remains undefeated across six WSL matches (W5 D1), and the Gunners currently maintain the longest active winning streak in the top division, with four victories. Sonia Bompastor, manager of Chelsea, has maintained an unbeaten record in her 10 WSL games at the helm (W9 D1), matching the longest undefeated start to a manager’s career in the competition, a feat also accomplished by David Parker in 2011. Khadija Shaw of Manchester City stands as the sole player to achieve double-digit goal involvements in the WSL this season, contributing 9 goals and 1 assist. Her individual goal tally of nine surpasses the total goals scored by three separate teams this term: Leicester (3), Everton (6), and Crystal Palace (8).