Chelsea 4 – 2 Man U: Chelsea won the Women’s Super League for the sixth time on a thrilling final day – but not without a scare.
At halftime, Emma Hayes’ team trailed 2-1 and appeared to be on the verge of relinquishing their divisional supremacy.
However, three second-half goals helped them win their third consecutive title at the cost of Arsenal, who ended one point behind the Blues after winning 2-0 at West Ham.
Chelsea knew that if they beat Manchester United, there would be nothing Jonas Eidevall’s Gunners could do to stop them from winning the Premier League.
However, they got off to the worst possible start at Kingsmeadow, as United seized the lead at 13 minutes when Martha Thomas headed in a free-kick from Katie Zelem.
However, the Blues drew level five minutes later via Erin Cuthbert, who volleyed home into the corner.
Chelsea fell down again on 25 minutes, with United’s Ella Toone scoring Leah Galton’s cross.
Arsenal was in pole position for the title at this stage, having drawn 0-0 with West Ham.
Chelsea, on the other hand, stepped up the heat in the second half, scoring twice in the first five minutes.
Just seconds after the resumption, Sam Kerr swung the title pendulum back in her team’s favor, smashing the ball high and past Mary Earps to equalize.
Sam Kerr’s outstanding goals
Chelsea moved up for the first time through Guro Reiten, who was on there to tap in Beth England’s ball. The home crowd was now ecstatic, and a third arrived soon after.
After 51 minutes, the Blues were finally in charge of their own fate.
Nerves were fraying, however, when Arsenal eventually broke down an obstinate Hammers defense, with Vivianne Miedema passing through Stina Blackstenius, who scored coolly to give her side the lead.
United’s goal would have changed everything, especially as Arsenal reinforced their position with a second goal from Steph Catley.
Chelsea strolled into a 4-2 lead due to Kerr’s magnificent second, a long-range strike over a helpless Earps, and it appeared to be all over only seconds later.
There was no more change in the score in either game, and Chelsea could finally rest ahead of the full-time siren, which was met with raucous applause from their supporters.
Manchester City defeated Reading 4-0 to earn third place in the final rankings and a spot in the Champions League for next season.
Birmingham City defeated Aston Villa 1-0, Tottenham defeated Leicester City 1-0, while Brighton and Everton drew 1-1.
