After 60 Women’s Super League (WSL) matches, each team has played 10 of their 22 matches. The teams are therefore halfway through. They are enjoying the three-week winter break before returning from the campaign on January 17.
Chelsea moved to the top of the table with 28 points, still unbeaten, and won every game except a 1-1 draw against Leicester City. Just one point separates second-placed Manchester City from Arsenal and Manchester United in the top four. At the other end of the table, the battle for survival is fierce with only five points separating the bottom six teams.
If the results paint one picture, the off-field performances and challenges tell another story. Two teams – Arsenal and Aston Villa – are heading into the break without permanent coaches, while Man City, Leicester and Everton are struggling to cope with constant injuries to key players.
Here’s a look at how all 12 teams have performed so far, starting with leaders Chelsea and working down in order of standings, with a rating given to each team. Three teams earned an A grade for their efforts this season, while two were awarded the dreaded Ds.
1.CHELSEA (A+)
Chelsea have had a remarkable run under coach Sonia Bompastor, who only joined the team this summer but has adapted perfectly to the London club and the WSL. The Blues have amassed 28 points from nine wins and one draw from 10 matches – the best total ever recorded at this stage of a WSL campaign. They also made a clean slate of their Champions League group, winning all six of their matches. Their six-point lead over second-placed City is the biggest gap over the winter break since the league was restructured in 2017-18. With 31 goals scored by 14 players and only six conceded, their strength is evenly distributed across the pitch. As they compete in two domestic cups, the league and the latter stages of the Champions League, challenges may arise. However, Chelsea’s first half performance was almost perfect.
2. MANCHESTER CITY (A-)
Despite two defeats and a draw this season, Manchester City’s campaign has had its positives. However, the six-point gap to league leaders Chelsea poses a significant challenge going into the new year. City started the season strongly, remaining unbeaten until their meeting with title rivals Chelsea. But an injury crisis has since derailed their momentum; The losses of prolific striker Khadija Shaw, the WSL’s most creative player so far in Lauren Hemp and captain Alex Greenwood have left City struggling to keep pace. Back-to-back defeats – 2-1 to Everton in the WSL and 3-0 to Barcelona in the Champions League – have intensified the challenge. It will be difficult for City to compete on multiple fronts, including cup competitions, while missing key players. However, they have established a solid foundation for the future.
3. ARSENAL (B+)
The Gunners have undergone a huge turnaround in such a short time following Jonas Eidevall’s resignation in October, but their poor performances at the start of the campaign – with just two wins from the first five games – left much to be desired. However, under the caretaker management of Renée Slegers, Arsenal finished 2024 on a 10-game winning streak in all competitions. The Dutch manager remains unbeaten, having only dropped points in a 1-1 draw against Man United. Challenges remain, particularly in their attack, and the second half of the season will test Slegers’ leadership if she gets the job permanently, with tough back-to-back away games against Chelsea and Man City. Just one point behind City in second, Arsenal have allowed themselves to move further up the table heading into the new year.
4. MANCHESTER UNITED (B)
Manchester United have faced increased scrutiny due to their men’s team’s legacy and off-field turmoil, but their season has been strong so far. Without pleasing the crowd, United have found a way to find results, losing just one match in the WSL so far. This was largely due to their impressive defensive record, conceding just three goals and keeping seven clean sheets. Yet United suffered an early decline with three straight draws, where they dropped points in games they should have won, leaving supporters frustrated. However, finishing the first half of the season in fourth place, just one point behind second-placed City, is a significant achievement. Although the seven-point gap to league leaders Chelsea is substantial, it is not limited to United, keeping them firmly in contention for a Champions League place.
5. BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (A)
Brighton exceeded all expectations, finishing the first half of the season in fifth place. Before defeats to London’s top two clubs, they had climbed into the top three and created a six-point gap over sixth-placed Spurs. With star signings Nikita Parris and Fran Kirby strengthening the squad, Brighton have become a force to be reckoned with. Under the leadership of Dario Vidošić, they have become the dark horse of the season and are firmly in contention for a top six place thanks to their strong start and resilience in achieving results, making them one of the success stories surprises of 2024-25.
6. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (C)
The Spurs have faced significant difficulties this season. Last year the team got on well, but the departures of Grace Clinton and Celin Bizet to Manchester United highlighted key issues. Their defense has been a major concern, conceding the second most goals in the league, highlighting the need for improvements at the back if they are to maintain their position in the top half. Additionally, Spurs are yet to win an away game, meaning they will rely heavily on home advantage to secure vital points and push for a better finish in the table.
7. ASTON VILLA (D)
Supporters were eager to see a revitalized Villa under new manager Robert de Pauw, but after 10 games the team managed just two wins and three draws in a lackluster performance. Going into the second half of the season without a manager, with De Pauw leaving before their final game of 2024, Villa will be looking nervously at the table. The first half of the campaign was disappointing, marked by a lack of execution, creativity, clinical finishing and defensive control. It has been a disappointing run for Villa, who were tipped to break into the top half again. Instead, they are seventh, five points protecting them from the relegation zone but eight points adrift of Brighton in fifth.
8. LIVERPOOL (C)
Liverpool have had a difficult season, struggling to convert strong performances into results and points. Making the top four is a tall order, let alone achieving it in consecutive seasons. Manager Matt Beard previously described his team as overachieving last season, but this campaign looks like an underachievement. Defensive struggles plagued the team throughout the match, and their inability to counterbalance that with goals compounded their problems. Scoring just nine times so far, Liverpool find themselves further down the table than expected, eighth and level on points with Merseyside rivals Everton. While there is potential in the team, improvement on both ends of the pitch is crucial if the team aims to climb higher in the second half of the season.
9. EVERTON (C+)
Scoring just six goals in 10 games highlights Everton’s struggles with clinical finishing, but they have taken four points from their games against the top three, proving the Toffees may not need to score much to secure their future. A third of their goal tally came in a shock 2-1 win over City, while a 0-0 draw against Arsenal earned them crucial early points. Despite worrying statistics – six goals scored and 16 conceded – they fought hard to earn nine points and climb to eighth, having been in the relegation zone earlier. Ongoing injuries to key players have compounded their problems, but there is some promising foundation to build on in an attempt to address their glaring weaknesses in the second half of the season.
10. WEST HAM UNITED (C-)
West Ham’s ability to pick up points against teams close to them in the table has provided some cushion from the relegation zone, but it still looks precarious. Their inability to convert chances and secure points in crucial matches against higher-ranked teams remains a major concern for manager Rehanne Skinner. Despite these struggles, West Ham can ensure their survival by focusing on the philosophy of securing wins against lower table opposition, but that will likely go down to the wire with the bottom half of the table separated by just five points. Every point counts for the Irons, who want to avoid a relegation battle, but their two goals and two wins so far are a buildable start.
11. LEICESTER CITY (D)
Leicester narrowly avoid the relegation zone due to a one-point advantage over Palace. They have scored the fewest goals (three) and conceded 13, which leaves them with plenty of work to do after the winter break. Additionally, their passing accuracy is the lowest in the league at 74%, according to Opta. Injuries left the Foxes without a natural striker and with limited options on the pitch, but holding league leaders Chelsea to a 1-1 draw – the first points the Blues have lost this season – was a significant achievement. However, this will be in vain unless Leicester reorganize themselves and resolve their problems to turn around their season after Christmas.
12. CRYSTAL PALACE (C)
Newly promoted Palace have faced a difficult first season in England’s top flight. They have conceded the most goals (26) in their first 10 games, while scoring just eight – the third lowest total in the league. Without a home victory in five matches, the young team struggled to adapt. However, there are positives to build on to improve. Palace’s biggest weakness was their inability to maintain their lead or capitalize on early dominance, often letting games slip away and allowing the more experienced teams to claw their way back into ties.
