Manchester City clinched the Women’s Super League title after Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw at Brighton, ending the Gunners’ hopes of catching City despite having games in hand.
Brighton took the lead just before half-time when Fuka Tsunoda pounced on a loose ball and drilled a shot that, via a deflection, beat Daphne van Domselaar. Arsenal had started slowly and had seen chances from Caitlin Foord and Alessia Russo go begging in the first half.
Arsenal made a change at half-time with Victoria Pelova withdrawn and came out with more intent. Russo dragged a chance wide and Foord forced Brighton keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie into a save. A penalty appeal for Frida Maanum was turned down, but Maanum made no mistake when the equaliser arrived in the 62nd minute — Russo turned away from her marker and fed Maanum, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
Manager Renné Slegers responded with a triple substitution, introducing Katie McCabe, Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius, and Chloe Kelly came on late as Arsenal pushed for a winner. They could not manufacture a decisive goal, and the 1-1 draw confirmed Manchester City as champions and ended Arsenal’s title bid.
The result leaves Arsenal without a trophy this season, a setback compounded by their recent Women’s Champions League semi-final exit to Lyon. Despite that, Slegers’ side remain well placed for next season’s Champions League, sitting third in the WSL — two points clear of Manchester United and four behind second-placed Chelsea, with two games in hand. The team are now 14 matches unbeaten in the league, equalling their longest run.
The match was played in front of a large Broadfield Stadium crowd, with Dame Kelly Holmes among the spectators. Brighton will take encouragement from the result, while Arsenal must reflect on a campaign in which too many draws ultimately cost them the title.
Slegers conceded disappointment after the game, saying Arsenal had wanted to keep pressure on City until the final matchday but had failed to get the three points. She praised City’s consistency this season and felt Arsenal’s first-half performance had been the decisive factor, though she highlighted the improved second-half showing.
Pundit Nia Jones noted that Arsenal have lost only once all season but drawn too often, leaving them short of the wins needed to challenge the champions. She suggested the squad remain strong and have foundations to build on despite missing out on silverware, while congratulating Manchester City on a consistently impressive campaign.