MY ACCOUNT
Kelly Smith believes four teams still have a chance of winning the Women’s Super League and thinks the title race will go down to the wire.
Chelsea leapfrogged Manchester United to return to the summit after edging their top-of the-table clash 1-0 on Sunday afternoon.
But Manchester City and Arsenal are hot on their heels, with just five points separating the top four sides.
Speaking at the London Football Awards, ex-Gunners forward Smith exclusively told LiveScore: “It’s really exciting to see.
“Obviously we had a big game at the weekend with Chelsea beating Manchester United.
“Man Utd have been top for a good few weeks so it’s a big win for Chelsea.
“Bit dubious with the two penalty calls, I think Marc Skinner was a bit upset with that but I think Chelsea are just doing what Chelsea do, winning when it matters.
“It’s really tight at the top and I think it could come down to the last couple of games of the season.”
That narrow victory at Kingsmeadow, courtesy of Sam Kerr’s 22nd goal of the season, has put Emma Hayes’ side in the driving seat but there are set to be plenty of twists and turns yet.
All four contenders face at least two of their rivals during an exciting run-in, kicking off with a blockbuster showdown between the Blues and in-form City at the end of this month.
The 44-year-old added: “They all have to play each other, the top four, so on any given day, those teams can take points off each other.
“Man City have really impressed me of late. That 89th-minute winner from Bunny [Khadija] Shaw [against Brighton] really pushed them again.
“Bunny Shaw is leading the league for goals, so it’s anyone’s game and it’s really tight and intense at the top.”
An underwhelming three-game winless league run had left many counting fourth-placed Arsenal out of the running but the Gunners sparked their season back into life by winning the Continental Cup final.
Jonas Eidevall’s side have recorded successive league wins over Liverpool and Reading since that victory over Chelsea and Smith believes her former side have as good a chance as any.
She said: “Arsenal are coming into a bit of form now. They are in a good headspace after the Continental Cup final.
“Stina Blackstenius is scoring. She was struggling a little bit for goals but she’s hitting the net now. [Frida] Maanum’s playing well.”
