Manchester City is on track to secure its first Women's Super League title since 2016, with a strong performance this season.

According to Manchester City manager Andree Jeglertz, motivation is not an issue for his players, who are well aware of their position in the league and their accomplishments.

Jeglertz expressed his admiration for his team's display, stating that he was impressed and proud of their efforts.

These comments followed a convincing 6-0 victory over Leicester City, which allowed Manchester City to reclaim its 11-point lead at the top of the Women's Super League.

This season, Manchester City has won 14 out of 16 matches, including all nine home league games, with the only dropped points coming from defeats at Stamford Bridge and Emirates Stadium against the reigning WSL and European champions.

After a surprise loss to Arsenal the previous Sunday, Manchester City bounced back with an outstanding performance against Leicester, demonstrating their ability to respond to setbacks.

Although the teams chasing Manchester City have at least one game in hand, the gap between them remains significant, with Manchester United trailing by 11 points, Chelsea by 12, and Arsenal by 13.

As the season progresses, it appears unlikely that any of the chasing teams will be able to catch up with Manchester City and prevent them from claiming their second WSL title.

Despite scoring six goals against Leicester, Manchester City may feel that they could have scored even more, given their dominant performance.

The team's statistics were impressive, with 31 shots on goal, 15 on target, an xG of 4.61, and 232 passes in the final third, all of which are the highest totals for a WSL team this season.

The win over Leicester increased Manchester City's goal difference to +34, nearly twice as good as Manchester United's +18, and brought their total goals for the season to 47, averaging 2.94 per game.

Lauren Hemp had a notable performance against Leicester, delivering 14 crosses and taking four shots.

Manchester City's commitment to excellence is exemplified by Lauren Hemp's attitude, as she provided two assists and created 11 chances for her teammates, earning her the player of the match award.

When asked about her satisfaction with the game, Hemp replied, "I'm happy to have contributed, but I think I need to work on my shooting – I didn't score a goal." However, she expressed overall happiness with the team's performance.

"We're really pleased with the result," Hemp said. "The whole team is confident, and everyone is contributing, including the substitutes."

Having missed out on a Champions League spot last season, Manchester City has played 22 games in all competitions this season, whereas their rivals have played more, with Chelsea having played 25, Arsenal 27, and Manchester United 28 by the end of the weekend.

The extra rest appears to have benefited the squad, particularly star striker Khadija Shaw, who has scored 15 league goals this season, surpassing her total of 12 from the previous campaign.

Despite the upcoming Asia Cup and the potential departure of key players like Yui Hasegawa, Manchester City seems well-equipped to succeed, with record signing Sam Coffey making an impressive debut start in midfield.

Former Manchester City captain Steph Houghton, commenting on Sky Sports, noted the team's determination to succeed this season.

Houghton observed that being at the top of the league with a significant points difference can bring added pressure, and players may feel this pressure in the days following a loss, such as the one to Arsenal.

However, Houghton felt that Manchester City's response to the setback was perfect.

With six games remaining, Manchester City needs 12 points to secure the title, and if results go in their favor, they could potentially win it at Old Trafford on Sunday, March 29.

This achievement might be enough to satisfy Jeglertz and his ambitious group of players.

The Women's Football Weekly podcast, hosted by Ben Haines, Ellen White, and Jen Beattie, returns for another season, with new episodes available every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, along with interviews and additional content from the Women's Super League.

For the latest news and updates on the Women's Super League, visit the dedicated page.

A unique online dispute has emerged surrounding the Winter Olympics in Milan, with the focal point being the internet rather than the athletic events themselves.

At the center of this controversy are two young athletes: Eileen Gu, a skilled freestyle skier, and Alysa Liu, a talented figure skater. Both women share similar backgrounds, having been born and raised in the US to parents of Chinese heritage, and have achieved great success in their respective sports.

However, the perception of these two athletes differs greatly, with some in the US viewing one as a pioneer and the other as disloyal, while opinions on Chinese social media platforms are reversed.

The reason for this disparity lies in the fact that Alysa Liu is competing under the US flag, whereas Eileen Gu has chosen to represent China, despite her American upbringing and her mother's history of spending summers in Beijing.

This decision has sparked criticism from some Americans, with one social media post stating, "In a world where individuals like Eileen Gu choose to compete for China and receive substantial financial compensation, it's essential to admire those like Alysa Liu, who embody a different set of values."

The backlash against Eileen Gu appears to be driven primarily by political commentators and a vocal minority on social media, rather than the general public or the sports community. This phenomenon is influenced by the ongoing competition between the US and China, as the two global superpowers continually strive for dominance in various fields.

As a result, a small but vocal segment of the internet is pitting these two women against each other, questioning their loyalty, identity, and immigrant experiences, while adding to the pressure they already face as public figures in the sports world.

Eileen Gu, affectionately known as the "Snow Princess" in China, was born in California to a Chinese mother and an American father.

Following her parents' separation, Gu was raised by her mother, Yan Gu, a successful venture capitalist who holds degrees from both Peking University and Stanford.

Gu's upbringing was marked by a strong connection to both the US and China, with her spending summers in Beijing and attending a private school in San Francisco during the rest of the year.

She began freeskiing at the age of three in the Lake Tahoe region and joined the Northstar California Resort freeskiing team at eight, winning her first national championship just a year later.

Initially, Gu competed for the US, but she switched to Team China in 2019 in preparation for the 2022 Winter Olympics, which took place in Beijing.

Gu stated that her decision was motivated by a desire to "inspire millions of young people in Beijing, my mother's birthplace," earning her widespread praise in China.

She went on to win two gold medals and one silver medal at the 2022 Olympics.

In the years since, Gu has become a prominent sports icon in China, with millions of followers on social media and numerous accolades, including being named an "idol for the whole world" by the Chinese state media outlet Global Times.

Gu is also one of the highest-paid female athletes globally, with an estimated annual income of around $23 million.

Her initial decision to join Team China was met with significant backlash, largely due to concerns about China's authoritarian government, human rights record, and restrictions on free speech.

However, the controversy surrounding Gu had largely subsided until recently.

The issue resurfaced when Olympian Hunter Hess expressed "mixed feelings" about representing the US, given the country's current social and political climate.

Hess' comments were met with a response from President Donald Trump, who called him a "real loser" for speaking out. Gu defended Hess, stating that she understood the challenges of being caught in the crossfire.

Gu's comments sparked outrage among her critics, who argued that she had never publicly spoken out against China's human rights abuses.

Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was among those who criticized Gu, calling her a "traitor" for competing against her birth country and allegedly promoting the interests of the Chinese Communist Party.

Kanter Freedom stated that Gu enjoyed the benefits of US citizenship while serving as a global ambassador for China, which has been accused of numerous human rights violations.

Another critic, Matt Whitlock, questioned Gu's silence on China's human rights record, asking if she had any criticism for Chinese leader Xi Jinping regarding the country's alleged genocide, slavery, and suppression of dissent.

The controversy surrounding Gu and Liu has been fueled by the increasingly tense relationship between the US and China, with some arguing that the stakes are higher for athletes competing for either country.

According to Professor Yinan He of Lehigh University, the current "New Cold War" climate between the US and China has led to a heightened sense of nationalism, making it more difficult for athletes with dual identities to navigate their loyalties.

As a result, the public's perception of athletes like Gu and Liu is often centered on their national loyalty, with little tolerance for those who may be seen as deviating from expected norms.

Recently, Gu expressed feelings of pressure, stating that she was "skiing with the weight of two countries on my shoulder" after losing the gold medal in women's slopestyle.

While some supporters saw this as a moment of vulnerability, others took offense to her comments, arguing that she was only representing one country and that it wasn't the US.

The comparison between Gu and Liu has been reignited, with many drawing parallels between the two athletes and their choices.

Alysa Liu, a 20-year-old figure skater, is the daughter of Arthur Liu, a Chinese dissident who fled the country after participating in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.

Liu's family history has made her a sensitive topic on Chinese social media, with some users criticizing those who praise her, citing her family's anti-China stance.

Raised in California, Liu began figure skating at a young age and became the youngest athlete to win the US women's figure skating championship at 13.

In 2019, Arthur Liu alleged that he was targeted in a spying operation ordered by the Chinese government, and his daughter reported being informed by the FBI in 2022 that she and her family were likely under Chinese surveillance.

The sympathy and admiration for Liu have, in part, contributed to the criticism of Gu, with some arguing that Liu's story and values are more relatable and admirable.

According to Professor He, the divide between Liu and Gu is not only about nationalism but also about class and relatability, with Gu representing a luxury culture and her decision to compete for China being seen as a "mercenary business decision."

A post on social media by the non-profit group Asians for Liberty stated, "A true American rejects the lure of wealth and fame from the Chinese Communist Party, and Alysa Liu is an American patriot."

Professor Richard King of Columbia College Chicago noted that the media and public perception of Liu and Gu have been framed by their respective stories, with Liu being cast as the "good immigrant" and Gu as the "bad immigrant."

Chinese Australian dissident artist Badiucao created drawings of the athletes, depicting Liu in front of a Tiananmen tank and Gu holding a Chinese flag with hidden bodies, symbolizing the human rights allegations against China.

The far-right news website The Daily Caller published an article titled "Meet Eileen Gu, the true villain of the Winter Olympics," further fueling the controversy surrounding Gu's decision to compete for China.

According to Professor Stanley Thangaraj of Stonehill College, the situation highlights the complex social and political environment that Asian Americans must contend with. He notes that they are often recognized in a limited capacity, and any form of political expression can lead to their exclusion from American society.

When Marvel actor Simu Liu expressed his support for Gu, describing her as "inspirational, resilient, intelligent, and well-spoken in two languages," he faced a wave of criticism. Some comments even told him to "go back to China," illustrating the backlash that prominent Asian Americans can encounter when speaking out.

As the competition unfolds in Milan, the athletic events themselves have taken a backseat to discussions surrounding the athletes involved.

Professor He observes that, despite sharing similar racial backgrounds and experiences as first-generation immigrants, the two athletes have been portrayed as opposing figures in a narrative beyond their control.

Wrexham is on the cusp of achieving a historic milestone, as the team aims to secure a spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals for only the fourth time in its history.

Since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took the reins as co-owners, Wrexham has been on an upward trajectory, with significant progress made under their leadership.

The club's remarkable ascent has been so rapid that there has been little time for introspection, as Wrexham continues to push forward.

Following their victory over Ipswich Town, which marked their first appearance in the FA Cup fifth round in 29 years, manager Phil Parkinson took a moment to appreciate the significance of this accomplishment.

Parkinson emphasized the importance of appreciating each season, stating, "Every season in football is special, and you have to make the most of it."

He also highlighted the value of the FA Cup, noting that it was crucial to build on their previous win over Nottingham Forest with another successful outcome.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Wrexham, please visit our dedicated page.

A live broadcast of Wrexham's FA Cup match against Ipswich is available to watch.

Josh Windass scored the decisive goal against Ipswich, as Wrexham built on their third-round win over Nottingham Forest with another impressive home victory in the fourth round.

This win marked a fitting conclusion to a week in which celebrity owners Reynolds and McElhenney celebrated their fifth anniversary at the helm of the north Wales club, which they took over in February 2021 when the team was seventh in the National League.

Parkinson expressed his delight at securing a spot in the fifth round, stating, "It's great for our owners, Rob and Ryan, to mark their fifth year in charge with this achievement."

The manager is looking forward to the draw on Monday night, saying, "We can enjoy that moment, but for now, we'll focus on the league."

Parkinson's priorities have shifted back to the league, as was the case after their previous FA Cup win.

Star player Ollie Rathbone is focused on continuing the club's upward trajectory, aiming to achieve even greater heights.

In an interview with BBC Match of the Day Wales, Rathbone said, "The club is on an incredible journey, and we want to keep contributing to it."

He also expressed his satisfaction with the team's return to winning ways at home, describing it as "another special night."

Parkinson's ambitious streak soon resurfaced, as it has throughout his successful tenure at the club.

When asked about the frequency of memorable nights, the 58-year-old manager responded, "We've had many great nights, and we want more – we're greedy, and why not?"

Parkinson acknowledged that his team has a strong chance of drawing a Premier League opponent in the fifth round.

While Parkinson hopes for another home tie in the next round, goal-scorer Windass has a different preference for the draw.

Windass expressed his desire to avoid a big team away from home, saying, "Hopefully, we won't get a top team on the road, as it can be tough to get a touch on the ball."

The 1,269 away supporters in attendance had a disappointing evening, as their team failed to register a single shot on target.

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna made 10 changes to his starting lineup from their previous win over Derby County, highlighting his focus on securing a top-two spot in the Championship.

McKenna had no regrets about his decision to make wholesale changes, as his team remains in contention for an immediate return to the top flight.

The Ipswich boss stated, "The players who came in are good, but when you make a lot of changes, it can take time to gel – I believe in the players who started, and the whole group will benefit from this experience."

McKenna emphasized the importance of having a strong squad, saying, "We have 16 league games in a short space of time, and we'll need all our players to contribute."

He also acknowledged the disappointment for the away supporters but expressed his confidence that the team will learn from the experience and use it to their advantage in the coming weeks.

McKenna reflected on the lessons learned from the match, saying, "We're disappointed for our supporters, but we'll use this experience to improve and prepare for the challenges ahead."

The Ipswich manager is already looking to the future, focusing on the upcoming league games and the opportunity for his team to bounce back from this defeat.