How Manchester City lifted the Chelsea curse
Tactical domination and game management behind huge win that leaves City on brink of WSL title
Manchester City came into Sunday’s WSL game against Chelsea with a commanding lead at the top of the table, but also with recent scars against the visitors, who ended their hopes in two cup competitions last season, beat them twice in the league and continued that domination with victory on the opening weekend of this campaign.
City have won every subsequent league match, but were again beaten by Sonia Bompastor’s side in the League Cup last month. So, with the title race still mathematically open and history offering reasons for caution, this was a game loaded with psychological weight despite the gap in the standings.
For Chelsea, it represented a chance to disrupt the leaders once again and inject belief into their own campaign; for City, an opportunity to assert control not only over the league but over a fixture that had recently tilted away from them.
By the end of the afternoon, a 5-1 win showed just why City are now poised to end the Londoners’ long reign as champions.
Starting off strong
City set the tone immediately. From the opening minutes, they played with authority and clarity, covering ground aggressively while remaining structurally composed. Rather than pressing man-to-man across the entire pitch as they often do, they adopted a more measured approach out of possession, prioritising compactness and strong midfield engagement before accelerating their aggression only once Chelsea approached the halfway line. The message was clear: intensity without recklessness.
The early dominance was rewarded in the 13th minute, once again through a set piece, an area where City continue to show both preparation and variation. The opening goal did not come from a clean header this time: Vivianne Miedema’s sharp flick at the near post kept the ball alive, triggering a scramble that eventually led to the finish from Kerolin. It was a familiar pattern this season, with City consistently attacking the first zone on corners to either shoot or destabilise defensive structures and generate second-ball chaos.
Crucially, the opener did not push City into over-extension, as an all-out press would have carried clear risks. When they closed down too aggressively and with imperfect timing, Chelsea could find space around and between the hosts’ double pivot, especially in the pockets between midfield and attack.
Andree Jeglertz’s team consciously limited this outcome by staying compact and selective in their pressure. With the lead secured, they remained patient, circulating possession confidently and selectively inviting Chelsea forward, aware that control was the priority.
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