The 2026-27 Barclays Women’s Super League season is underway with all 14 clubs having played several matches. While top contenders are establishing their positions, other teams continue to struggle out of the gate in the latest power rankings.
Top Tier Contenders and Risers
Defending champions Manchester City hold the top spot after Bunny Shaw extended her golden boot race lead with her seventh goal of the season, despite a nervy second-half performance. Chelsea FC sits in second place, shaking off early-season rust as Lauren James and Alyssa Thompson provide creativity and clinical finishing in the final third. London City Lionesses climbed three spots to third place, showcasing a roster packed with star power that has managed to avoid major early hurdles. Tottenham remains fourth on the table and in the rankings, though consecutive losses against top opponents have shown they are still behind the league’s elite.
Mid-Table Struggles and Shifts
Arsenal dropped two spots to fifth place, with pressure mounting on manager Renee Slegers as the team struggles to maintain leads, despite Olivia Smith’s efforts. Manchester United moved up two places to sixth as head coach Eva Olid’s side looks settled, with Ella Toone, Andrea Medina, and Julia Zigiotti finding the scoresheet. Liverpool fell two spots to seventh, with manager Gareth Taylor needing the squad to capitalize on chances, though Natalia Ramos recently scored her first WSL goal. Everton dropped to eighth due to a reliance on defense and a lack of reliable scoring, despite Hannah Cain netting her first goal of the campaign. Brighton & Hove Albion stays in ninth, with manager Arturo Ruiz needing more consistency against lower-tier opponents following a late rally driven by Olivia Garcia, Caitlin Hayes, Fran Kirby, and Maisie Symonds.
Relegation Battle and Lower-Ranked Clubs
West Ham United climbed one spot to tenth after snapping a three-match winless run, with threats from Kelly Gago and Viviane Asseyi under manager Rita Guarino. Aston Villa rose to eleventh following a coaching change and a first victory secured by Chasity Grant’s finish, though interim boss Brian Sørensen’s side still faces a tough recovery from a poor start. Crystal Palace dropped to twelfth, as manager Jo Potter’s team continues to compete in narrow margins without turning performances into wins, despite good play from Lexi Lloyd-Smith. Birmingham City remains thirteenth as defensive vulnerabilities overshadow Oceane Hurte’s goal-scoring form under Amy Merrick. Charlton Athletic rounds out the table in fourteenth, with the newly promoted side enduring a difficult run of losses as manager Karen Hills tries to navigate the competitive league.
Source: CBS Sports Headlines
