Man City lead, Arsenal struggle and Putellas delivers: The WSL half term review

What the report says

BBC Sport Football’s Women’s Football Weekly reviewed the first five weeks of the Women’s Super League season during the opening international break, with host Ellen White joined by BBC Women’s Sport reporter Jo Currie and the Telegraph’s Kathryn Batte. The discussion focused on early frontrunners, underperforming teams and whether preseason expectations are being met across the league.

According to the BBC programme description, Manchester City were still viewed as the team to beat after five league matches, while Arsenal’s difficult start remained a major talking point. Arsenal were said to be 10th and 10 points behind the leaders, prompting questions about whether their issues are limited to results on the pitch or point to broader concerns.

The review also considered London City Lionesses, who drew attention after an active summer transfer window, and asked whether they had matched the surrounding hype. The episode closed with rapid assessments of the rest of the league, offering a midpoint check on clubs’ progress and title chances.

More broadly, the segment reflects the early-season picture in the WSL: one dominant side, a traditional contender under pressure, and newly ambitious teams trying to justify investment. That context matters because the league often shifts quickly after international breaks, making early form an important indicator rather than a final verdict.