Champions again: Chelsea celebrate their third successive WSL triumph after victory over Manchester United at Kingsmeadow
(Picture: PA)Chelsea have retained their Women’s Super League (WSL) title again after a superb Sam Kerr-led fightback on an eventful final day of the 2021/22 season.
The defending champions trailed 2-1 at half-time against Champions League hopefuls Manchester United at Kingsmeadow, handing rivals Arsenal the initiative in the dramatic final instalment of an enthralling title battle.
However, Chelsea came roaring back thanks to Guro Reiten and a stylish second-half brace from Kerr, eventually winning 4-2 to finish one point clear at the WSL summit, claiming an historic third straight championship and fifth overall in the last six years. It is their 10th major trophy in total under beloved boss Emma Hayes.
Arsenal did their part on the final day as they beat West Ham 2-0 at Victoria Road thanks to Stina Blackstenius and a sublime Stephanie Catley goal, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to claim a first title since 2019.
For Chelsea, domestic treble winners last season, the double remains on this term with an FA Cup final showdown against Manchester City to come at Wembley next weekend. They were beaten 3-1 by City in the League Cup final at Plough Lane back in March.
Meanwhile, United would have missed out on the final Champions League qualification spot for next season regardless of their result against Chelsea. That instead went to rivals City, who wrapped up third place with an emphatic 4-0 victory at Reading.
Tottenham Women had already clinched their highest-ever WSL finish of fifth last weekend, ending the campaign with a 1-0 victory over Leicester delivered by Ashleigh Neville.
At the bottom, Birmingham had already been relegated for the first time in club history after a 6-0 drubbing by City last time out. Their miserable season ended on a high note, however, with a 1-0 derby win at Aston Villa.
