Chelsea were crowned champions on the final day of the Women’s Super League, after sweeping Reading aside with a 5-0 victory at Kingsmeadow.
The result ensured Emma Hayes’ side claimed a record-breaking fourth Women’s Super League title just one week before their Women’s Champions League Final against Barcelona.
Chelsea Win Title on Final Day of Women’s Super League
Chelsea Beat Reading to Win the Women’s Super League Title
Chelsea got the win they needed to guarantee a fourth Women’s Super League title after an emphatic 5-0 win over Reading.
Any pre-match nerves were settled with just 68 seconds on the clock, as Melanie Leupolz put the Blues ahead with a half-volley.
Fran Kirby then got a goal in either half to put Emma Hayes’ side 3-0 up. The first saw the England international guide an effort into the top corner two minutes before the interval before she completed her brace with a header from Sam Kerr’s cross.
Kirby returned the favour for Kerr to volley in a fourth with 71 minutes played, and Erin Cuthbert rounded off a fine day’s work by forcing home a fifth goal in the 75th minute.
The result left Chelsea with 57 points from 22 games to leave them two points clear of second-placed Manchester City.
For Reading, the defeat meant they finished seventh with 24 points from 22 games.
Manchester City Draw to Secure Second Place in Women’s Super League
Manchester City ended the season as runners up for a fifth consecutive season, despite a 1-0 win away at West Ham United.
White scored the only decisive goal of the game in the 75th minute after guiding home Lucy Bronze’s ball into the box.
City didn’t have it all their own way though, as Hammers goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold saved two penalties in the contest – the first from Sam Mewis and the second from Rose Lavelle.
The result leaves Gareth Taylor’s team with 55 points from 22 games – the most of any second-placed team in Women’s Super League history.
Meanwhile, West Ham finished ninth with 15 points from 22 games.
Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 Bristol City
Bristol City’s relegation to the Women’s Championship was confirmed after a 3-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Maya Le Tissier’s close-range finish put Brighton 1-0 up in the seventh minute, before Lee Geum-Min added a second with shot that rebounded in off the crossbar just seven minutes into the second half.
City halved the deficit to spark hope of a comeback when Abi Harrison ghosted in at the far post, but Inessa Kaagman’s deflected free kick sealed their fate.
The result meant Brighton secured a sixth-place finish with 27 points from 22 games – their highest-ever league finish.
But the Vixens’ dismal tally of 12 points means they will be playing in the second tier next season.
Arsenal 0-0 Aston Villa
Aston Villa got the point they required to guarantee their Women’s Super League status for another season, following a hard-fought goalless draw away at Arsenal.
Villa restricted Arsenal to few chances, the best of which fell to Vivianne Miedema, who was denied by Lisa Weiss in the visitors’ goal.
It was Joe Montemurro’s final match in charge, and while it was far from a perfect send-off for the Australian, the Gunners could take solace knowing that third place and Champions League qualification had been secured prior to kick-off.
Arsenal ended the season with 48 points, while Villa finished 10th with 15 points from 22 games played.
Manchester United 2-0 Everton
Manchester United ended their Women’s Super League season on a high with 2-0 win over Everton at Leigh Sports Village.
Ella Toone broke the deadlock with just six minutes played after finishing superbly past Sandy MacIver in the Toffees goal.
Kirsty Hanson doubled United’s advantage with a minute of normal time remaining from Toone’s cross.
United have now finished fourth in consecutive seasons and amassed 47 points from 22 games, while Everton secured fifth with 32 points.
Birmingham City 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur ended a ten-match winless run in the Women’s Super League with a 1-0 victory away at Birmingham City.
Kit Graham’s strike 19 minutes before the end of the game separated the two teams in this cagey contest at Damson Park.
Birmingham were in danger of succumbing to the drop prior to kick-off, but Bristol City’s defeat at Brighton ensured their safety.
Spurs secured eighth place in the table with 20 points from 22 games, while Birmingham ended a troublesome campaign in 11th with 14 points.
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