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It has been over 500 days and counting from the London club suffered a defeat in a WSL match. This fact alone underscores their exceptional performance, and whichever way you present the statistics, they appear formidable. Take such facts: “Sonia Bompastor has not lost a WSL fixture after 15 months as coach,” “She has won 23 of her 26 WSL games undefeated” or “She remains undefeated in 34 domestic matches since moving to England.” Each is true, all sound commanding, and—following four wins out of four this season—they are showing no signs of easing up.

Which Team Will End The Streak?

Eventually, Chelsea are bound to drop points in a WSL match. It might not be this week, it might not be in 2025, it might not even be this season. Perhaps it will not occur for some time, but eventually it is inevitable, and logic suggests that the fixtures where the unbeaten run has the highest probability of concluding are in one of their travel fixtures against their main title rivals, Arsenal, City, or Manchester United. This Friday, United among them get their chance, and form-wise they are seldom in a stronger position to attempt it.

Emma Hayes once remarked: ‘I don’t think coaches are always thought about as people.’

The top two sides in the early-season table face off in Leigh Sports Village in an evening match and, although the WSL campaign is only four rounds old, the Red Devils enter Friday’s fixture with the strongest defensive record in the competition. History favours the visitors though, because the most damning stat among them is this: Manchester United have never beaten their rivals in the WSL.

Actually, they have secured only one draw from their 11 previous WSL meetings. Even so, United’s head coach, Marc Skinner, urges his team to have faith. “Without a doubt the most difficult challenge in the WSL at present, naturally,” the manager commented. “Our aim is to end their streak when we play but it is a challenge.

“They are a well-oiled machine. Possessing incredible quality, squad depth and talent, that they’ve built over many seasons. Anticipate the toughest of tests this week and we’ve got to be ready.

“In my view, it is possible to hurt them in possession, but you’ve got to show courage to attempt it, as it carries more risk since they excel in duels. It is essential to believe that you can defeat them, and demonstrate Chelsea that you can.”

Bompastor’s Perspective on the Unbeaten Run

For Bompastor, who oversaw a clean sweep of trophies last term in her debut campaign in the WSL, the numbers mean very little. “The narrative about the undefeated streak is mostly of interest to the journalists,” she said. “Our season began this season with a clean slate, we won four matches all played, and we want to go into each fixture with the desire for victory. We are early in the season, we did not achieve anything yet.”

The former Lyon coach has fond memories of playing at the venue, because that was the place her team secured the previous championship on 30 April, via a one-nil victory courtesy of a Lucy Bronze goal. This time they face a United team that has let in just one in four league games and Bompastor said: “They appear solid and they have made a positive beginning to the season.

“On such occasions, it’s always tough. Perhaps teams generate [fewer] chances than in some of the fixtures and you need to ensure you are clinical and effective. I think that is determines the outcome in the highest-level contests.”

Star Attackers to Look Out For

The joint-leading goalscorers in the WSL this season are set to feature on either side: United’s Malard has four times in four WSL appearances, just like Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones, who has scored in every game.

Bompastor remarked, of the the English forward's excellent performance: “From the beginning arrived at Chelsea, I could recognise that Aggie was a really good footballer with a lot of ability, and additionally a really complete performer.

“Out of possession she has been outstanding; she is the initial player in the frontline to apply the press. Offensively, we have been working hard with her, trying for her to be as successful possible in various areas of her play. Currently, she appears really confident [and] which benefits for the team.”

Why the First Goal

A common saying in football is that “early goal is crucial” but it seems particularly relevant in this match; United have not lost in all of the last twenty-five WSL games in which they have taken the lead. If they can finally stop the drought for a maiden victory against their rivals, it could represent the initial significant twist in the WSL title race.