Women's Super League: Chelsea, Man City or Arsenal - who got edge in title race?

Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal are separated by just three points with eight games remaining of the Women's Super League campaign - so who is most likely to take the crown come May?

We take a look at each side's prospects as the latest international break draws to a close and the domestic season kicks back in this weekend...

Position: 1st
Points: 34
Goal difference: 28

A case for Chelsea is always strong: their status as champions in each of the past four seasons dictates that. In fact, since 2015, Emma Hayes' side have only been beaten to the trophy twice - once by City (2016) and once by Arsenal (2019).

Familiar foes are also keen to derail this year's bid and make no mistake, the title race is alive and kicking after threatening to meander towards a predictable conclusion a few weeks back.

If the Blues thought rivals were going to roll over and allow Hayes to cruise to glory in her final season as a WSL manager, they were mistaken. Chelsea fell to their most damaging loss of a near-perfect season a fortnight ago.

When they were beaten by Arsenal in December, while significant, there was very little talk of title fallout, not least because there was half a season of football still to play.

Now two-thirds have elapsed, Chelsea's latest defeat feels consequential. Now only goal difference separates Chelsea and City at the top. Fine margins.

"The team in the latter stages of the Champions League is in the least advantageous position to win the league," believes Hayes.

She may well be right, and there is a legitimate case for Chelsea focussing attentions on European competition - the only trophy to evade Hayes - over a fifth straight WSL title.

Succeeding both domestically and in Europe would be extraordinary considering the