WSL 2026-27 — Chelsea hands champion Manchester City first defeat of the season, moves top of the league

Sandy Baltimore scored the only goal of the game for Chelsea. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Chelsea handed champion Manchester City its first defeat of the Women’s Super League season on Saturday, beating ​its title rival 1-0 to climb above it into top spot in the ‌table.

Chelsea has 26 points from 10 matches, one ahead ​of second-placed City after 10 games.

The decisive moment came ⁠in first-half stoppage time when Sandy Baltimore produced a moment of brilliance, collecting a pass on the right side of the penalty area before turning ‌and rifling an unstoppable shot above goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.

City’s hopes of preserving its unbeaten record suffered a further blow in the ​75th minute when Yamashita was ‌sent off after racing well outside her area and clattering Alyssa Thompson as the Chelsea forward ran through on goal.

Eartha Cumings replaced her as City played the closing stages with 10 ‌players.

Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones struck the crossbar with a free kick ​in the second half but the hosts held on for the victory.

Chelsea next visits Paris St Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday.

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Manchester United continued its solid start with a 2-0 ‌victory over Crystal Palace with goals from captain Maya Le Tissier and Elisabeth ​Terland.

Le Tissier celebrated her 150th United appearance in memorable fashion in the 18th minute, stepping out from defence to ⁠win possession before unleashing a superb long-range effort into the bottom ⁠corner of the net.

United sealed the points in the 65th when Jess Park collected her second assist of the ‌afternoon, threading a precise pass into the box for Terland, who calmly beat the goalkeeper for her third WSL goal of ​the season.