Chelsea secured their fourth consecutive Women’s Super League title after winning 3-0 at Reading on Saturday.
It is their seventh title in just four years and Manager Emma Hayes’ 13th title in 11 years at Chelsea.
A Sam Kerr brace and assist to Guro Reiten, meant there was nothing that challengers Manchester United could do to finish the season on top.
Despite Lucia Garcia scoring just two minutes after being subbed on at Prenton Park, it wasn’t enough, and it seemed United left themselves with too much to do on the final day.
The Red Devil’s also failed to concede meaning it was a 14th clean sheet for Mary Earps, equalling the record for the league, and awarding her the Golden Glove.
Speaking after the match, United Manager Marc Skinner said, “The experience we’ve had this year – the good, the bad and ugly. It will hurt that we’re two points off and we’ve not won the league even though we’ve broken our own points tally record, but I think next year it will change again.
“Congratulations to Emma [Hayes] but this team is coming and hunting and [Chelsea] will have to stay on top of their game as well.”
Success for Chelsea not only put them in control of their future but Reading’s too. After claiming no points from Chelsea and Leicester securing all three against Brighton, it sees Reading relegated to the Women’s Championship for the first time.
Arsenal lost 2-0 to Aston Villa, in what was centre-back Rafaelle’s last game for the club. Rachel Daly put Villa ahead just before half-time and Alisha Lehman followed up shortly after the break.
Even though they failed to secure any points on the final day, Arsenal claimed the last Champions League spot, through their vastly greater goal difference to Manchester City.
Manchester City had to score at least 11 goals against Everton to be in contention for the third Champions League spot, which was made easier once they had scored three and Arsenal had conceded two.
Lauren Hemp scored a stunning goal from outside the box, which was sandwiched by two Bunny Shaw goals. This put her total for the season to 20 goals, falling short of Daly’s total of 22, which saw her win the Golden Boot in her return season to the WSL.
Daly has been a crucial part of Villa’s team this season, providing goals and assists from all over the pitch, and helping her club to their highest league finish. She has now firmly claimed her stake to be England’s starting number nine in the World Cup this summer.
