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A period of more than 500 days and counting since Chelsea suffered a defeat in a Women’s Super League game. This fact by itself underscores their exceptional performance, and whichever way you present the statistics, they appear formidable. Consider such facts: “Sonia Bompastor has not lost a WSL fixture in 15 months in charge,” “Bompastor has won 23 of her 26 WSL games undefeated” or “The coach is unbeaten in 34 league games after arriving to England.” Each is accurate, all sound commanding, and—following four wins from four this term—they are showing no signs of easing up.

Which Team Will End This Run?

Sooner or later, the champions will lose a WSL match. Perhaps not now, it might not be in 2025, it might not even be this season. Perhaps it will not occur for some time, but one day it will happen, and reason indicates that the fixtures where the unbeaten run has the highest probability of concluding are in their travel fixtures against key title rivals, the Gunners, City, or Manchester United. On Friday, the latter among them will have their turn, and form-wise they are seldom better placed to attempt it.

The former Chelsea manager stated: ‘It’s rare that managers are always thought about as people.’

The top two teams in the early-season standings go head to head in Leigh Sports Village under the lights and, although the WSL campaign is just four games old, the Red Devils go into the match with the strongest defensive record in the competition. History supports Chelsea though, because the most damning stat of all could be this: United have never beaten Chelsea in the WSL.

Actually, they have managed only one draw from their eleven past WSL encounters. Even so, United’s head coach, Skinner, wants his squad to believe. “It’s by far the most difficult test in the WSL at present, of course it is,” the manager said. “Our aim is to end their streak on Friday but it’s difficult.

“They’re such a highly efficient machine. They have exceptional quality, depth and talent, that they’ve built over many seasons. Anticipate the toughest of tests on Friday and we’ve got to be ready.

“I really think, it is possible to hurt Chelsea in possession, but you need to show courage to attempt it, as it carries more risk because they excel in duels. It is essential to believe that you can defeat them, you have to show Chelsea you are capable.”

The Manager’s Perspective on the Streak

For Bompastor, who led a clean sweep of trophies last term in her first season in English football, the numbers mean very little. “This story regarding the unbeaten run is more for the media,” she said. “Our season began anew with a clean slate, we won four games out of four, and we want to go into each fixture aiming for victory. We are early in the season, we did not achieve anything yet.”

Bompastor recalls positively of playing at the venue, because it was where her team secured the previous title in late April, with a one-nil victory thanks to a Lucy Bronze header. This time they face a Manchester United side who have let in just one in four league games and Bompastor said: “They look strong and they have made a good start this term.

“On such occasions, it is typically challenging. Perhaps you create [fewer] chances compared to some of the fixtures and it is crucial to make sure you are precise and efficient. In my opinion that is makes the difference in the highest-level contests.”

Star Attackers to Look Out For

The joint-leading goalscorers in the WSL this term are set to feature for both teams: Manchester United’s Malard has four times in four WSL games, as does the Blues' Aggie Beever-Jones, who has scored in each match.

Bompastor remarked, of the the English forward's excellent performance: “From the beginning joined Chelsea, I could recognise that she was a really good player boasting great ability, and also a really complete player.

“Defensively she has been outstanding; as the initial player among forwards applying the press. In possession, we have been putting in effort with her, aiming for her to be as successful possible in many aspects of her game. Currently, she is very self-assured [and] that’s great for the team.”

The Importance of the Opening Score

It is a cliche in football that the “early goal will be crucial” but it seems particularly relevant in this match; Manchester United are unbeaten in each of the past 25 WSL games in which they have taken the first goal. If they can finally end their wait for a first win against their rivals, it could represent the initial significant turn in the WSL championship battle.