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It has been over 500 days since Chelsea last lost a Women’s Super League game. That statement alone highlights their exceptional performance, and no matter how you present the statistics, they are daunting. Consider such facts: “The French manager is yet to lose a WSL game in 15 months as coach,” “She has won 23 of her 26 WSL matches undefeated” or “The coach remains undefeated in 34 domestic games since moving to England.” Each is true, each seems impressive, and—following four wins out of four this season—they are showing no signs of easing up.

Who Can Stop The Streak?

Sooner or later, Chelsea are bound to drop points in a WSL game. Perhaps not this week, it might not be in 2025, it might not even be during this campaign. Maybe it won’t even be for some time, but one day it is inevitable, and reason suggests that the fixtures where their streak has the highest probability of ending are in one of their travel fixtures against their main title rivals, Arsenal, City, or United. On Friday, the latter of that trio will have their turn, and form-wise they have rarely been in a stronger position to attempt it.

The former Chelsea manager stated: ‘I don’t think coaches are considered as people.’

Leading teams in the early-season table go head to head in Leigh Sports Village under the lights and, although the WSL campaign is just four games into the schedule, the Red Devils go into the match with the best defensive record in the league. Past encounters supports Chelsea though, because the most damning statistic among them is this: Manchester United have not defeated Chelsea in the WSL.

In fact, they have managed just a single tie from their 11 previous WSL encounters. Even so, United’s head coach, Skinner, urges his squad to believe. “It’s by far the most difficult test in the WSL right now, of course it is,” Skinner said. “Our aim is to break that run on Friday but it’s difficult.

“They are a highly efficient unit. Possessing incredible skill, depth and talent, that they’ve built over many seasons. I expect the most demanding of tests this week and we must to be ready.

“I really think, you can damage them in possession, but you’ve got to be brave in doing that, because it’s higher risk because they excel in duels. It is essential to believe that you can defeat them, and demonstrate the opposition that you can.”

The Manager’s Perspective on the Streak

For Bompastor, who oversaw a clean sweep of trophies last season in her first season in English football, the statistics mean very little. “This story about the unbeaten run is mostly of interest to the media,” she stated. “We started this season from zero, with four games all played, and our goal is to approach every game with the desire to win. We are early in the season, we have not accomplished anything so far.”

The former Lyon coach has fond memories of visiting Leigh, as it was where her team secured last season’s title on 30 April, with a one-nil victory courtesy of a Bronze goal. Now they meet a United team that has conceded only one goal in four matches and Bompastor noted: “United look strong and they have made a positive beginning to the season.

“On such occasions, it’s always tough. Perhaps you create [fewer] chances compared to other fixtures and you need to make sure your side is clinical and effective. I think that’s what determines the outcome in top-tier contests.”

Key Scorers to Look Out For

The top scorers in the WSL this term are set to feature for both teams: Manchester United’s Malard has four goals from four WSL appearances, as does the Blues' Beever-Jones, who has scored in each match.

Bompastor said, of the England’s striker's excellent performance: “Since I arrived at the club, I could recognise that she is a really good footballer with a lot of ability, and additionally a really complete performer.

“Out of possession she has been great; as the first one in the frontline applying the pressure. In possession, we have been putting in effort with her, trying for her become as effective possible in various areas of her game. Currently, she appears really confident [and] which benefits for the team.”

Why the Opening Score

A common saying in football is that “first goal is decisive” but this appears particularly relevant here; Manchester United are unbeaten in all of the past 25 WSL games in which they have taken the first goal. Should they at last stop their wait for a first win over their rivals, it would be the initial significant turn in the WSL championship battle.