City Women Rout Chelsea as Men Stumble in Title Race
MANCHESTER, 1 February 2026 – It was a weekend of contrasting fortunes for Manchester City, as their women’s team delivered a statement victory while the men’s side faltered in the Premier League title chase. The City Women routed defending champions Chelsea 5-1 at the Etihad Stadium to open an 11-point gap at the top of the Women’s Super League, all but securing the trophy. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola’s men squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur, ceding further ground to leaders Arsenal.
WSL Dominance Displayed
Manchester City Women produced a devastating performance to dismantle Chelsea, the reigning WSL champions. A hat-trick from Brazilian forward Kerolin was the centrepiece of a 5-1 victory that sends a powerful message to the rest of the league. The win extends City’s lead at the summit to a formidable 11 points with the season entering its final stages, leaving them with one hand firmly on the trophy.
Key Facts & Figures
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| WSL Result | Manchester City Women 5 – 1 Chelsea Women |
| WSL Table Lead | City open an 11-point gap at the top |
| Premier League Result | Manchester City 2 – 2 Tottenham Hotspur |
| Premier League Standing | City remain 2nd, now 6 points behind Arsenal |
| Manager News | Pep Guardiola missed pre-Tottenham press duties due to a personal matter |
Men’s Title Hopes Dented
While the women’s team celebrated, the men’s side endured a frustrating afternoon. Having led Tottenham 2-0, City conceded twice in the second half to draw 2-2 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The dropped points leave them six points adrift of league leaders Arsenal, a significant margin with 14 games remaining. In a separate development, manager Pep Guardiola was absent from pre-match media duties ahead of the Tottenham game due to a personal matter, with assistant Pepijn Lijnders deputising.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Manchester City win the WSL title with this result?
While not mathematically certain, Manchester City Women’s 5-1 victory over Chelsea and the resulting 11-point lead makes them overwhelming favourites. It would require a monumental collapse for them not to be crowned champions.
What does the draw mean for the men’s Premier League title race?
The 2-2 draw with Tottenham is a major setback for Manchester City’s title defence. Falling six points behind Arsenal with a third of the season left presents a serious challenge, though City have historically been strong in the run-in.
Why was Pep Guardiola absent before the Tottenham match?
The club stated Guardiola missed his pre-match press conference due to a “personal matter.” He was not in Manchester until later that evening, with assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders handling media duties.