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It has been over 500 days since Chelsea last lost a Women’s Super League match. This fact alone highlights their exceptional quality, and whichever way you view the numbers, they are daunting. Consider these facts: “The French manager has not lost a WSL game after 15 months in charge,” “She has won 23 of her 26 WSL matches without defeat” or “The coach remains undefeated in 34 league matches since moving to England.” Each is accurate, each seems impressive, and—after four victories out of four this season—there are little indication of easing up.

Who Can Stop This Run?

Eventually, Chelsea are bound to drop points in a WSL game. It might not be this week, it might not be in the coming year, possibly not even this season. Perhaps it won’t even be during this parliament, but one day it will happen, and logic suggests that the matches where the unbeaten run has the highest probability of ending is in their away games against key competitors, the Gunners, City, or United. This Friday, United of that trio will have their turn, and based on current form they are seldom better placed to attempt it.

The former Chelsea manager once remarked: ‘I don’t think managers are always considered as people.’

The top two sides in the initial table go head to head in Leigh in an evening match and, although the WSL campaign is just four games into the schedule, Manchester United enter Friday’s fixture with the strongest defensive record in the league. Past encounters supports the visitors though, since perhaps the starkest statistic among them is this: Manchester United have never beaten Chelsea in the WSL.

Actually, they have secured only one draw from their 11 previous WSL meetings. Nevertheless, the home team’s manager, Skinner, urges his team to believe. “Without a doubt the most difficult test in the WSL right now, naturally,” the manager commented. “We want to try to break that run when we play but it is a challenge.

“They are a well-oiled machine. Possessing incredible quality, depth and talent, that they’ve built over many seasons. I expect the most demanding of challenges on Friday and we must prepare fully.

“In my view, you can hurt them in possession, but you’ve got to show courage to attempt it, because it’s higher risk since they excel in duels. You have to be confident in your ability to defeat them, you have to show the opposition that you can.”

Bompastor’s Perspective on the Streak

For Bompastor, who led a clean sweep of trophies last season in her first season in the WSL, the statistics mean very little. “The narrative regarding the unbeaten run is mostly of interest to the media,” she said. “Our season began this season from zero, with four games all played, and we want to approach each fixture aiming for victory. We are early in the season, we have not accomplished much yet.”

The former Lyon coach recalls positively of visiting Leigh, as that was the place her team secured last season’s title in late April, via a one-nil win courtesy of a Lucy Bronze header. Now they meet a Manchester United team that has conceded only one goal in four league games and Bompastor noted: “They appear solid and they’ve had a positive beginning to the season.

“On such occasions, it is typically challenging. Maybe you create limited opportunities than in other games and it is crucial to make sure you are precise and effective. In my opinion that’s what makes the difference in top-tier contests.”

Key Attackers to Look Out For

The joint-leading scorers in the WSL this season are set to feature on either side: United’s Melvine Malard has netted four times in four WSL games, as does the Blues' Beever-Jones, scoring in each match.

The manager remarked, regarding England’s striker's excellent performance: “From the beginning arrived at Chelsea, it was clear that she is a highly skilled footballer boasting great ability, and also a well-rounded player.

“Out of possession she has been great; she is the first one among forwards applying the press. In possession, the staff has putting in effort alongside her, trying for her become as successful possible in various areas of her play. Currently, she appears very self-assured [and] which benefits for the team.”

The Importance of the Opening Score

It is a cliche in soccer is that “first goal is crucial” but it seems especially true here; Manchester United are unbeaten in all of the last twenty-five WSL fixtures in which they have taken the lead. Should they at last end their wait for a maiden victory against Chelsea, it could represent the initial significant turn in the WSL championship battle.