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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Rob Smyth

Chelsea pip Arsenal to WSL title on dramatic final day – as it happened

Chelsea are WSL champions!
Chelsea are WSL champions! Photograph: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Chelsea are champions of England!

Magda Eriksson officially starts the party, lifting the WSL trophy as high as her arms will allow. Then it’s the turn of Ji and Drew Spence, two Chelsea icons who are leaving the club this summer.

Congratulations to Chelsea, who will surely celebrate well tonight, and commiserations to an admirable Arsenal side.

That’s it for today’s blog. I have to dash off to prepare for some men’s Premier League action, so I’ll leave you with Suzanne Wrack’s match report from Kingsmeadow and Maryam Naz’s from Dagenham. Thanks for your company - bye!

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The Chelsea players are coming out, one by one, for the trophy presentation. There is such warmth between the players and the crowd.

One of the biggest cheers is for Ji So-Yun, who is leaving the club this summer. Sam Kerr’s astonishing goals will dominate the headlines, and damn right too, but Ji’s impact as substitute shouldn’t be underestimated. She brought order and composure to a Chelsea midfield that was frantic and nervous in the first half.

Emma Hayes kisses the WSL trophy.
Emma Hayes kisses the WSL trophy. Photograph: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Updated

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Moving the Goalposts Illustration: Guardian Design

Our free and - the hell with false modesty - extremely good women’s football newsletter is almost two months old. This week’s edition will be written by the great Anita Asante. You can get it delivered to your inbox by signing up below.

The final WSL table

Pos Team P GD Pts
1 Chelsea Women 22 51 56
2 Arsenal Women 22 55 55
3 Man City Women 22 38 47
4 Man Utd Women 22 23 42
5 Tottenham Hotspur Women 22 1 32
6 West Ham Women 22 -10 27
7 Brighton & Hove Albion Women 22 -14 26
8 Reading Women 22 -19 25
9 Aston Villa Women 22 -27 21
10 Everton Women 22 -23 20
11 Leicester Women 22 -39 13
12 Birmingham City Women 22 -36 11

Sam Kerr speaks

“The first half we were a bit nervous – I know I felt nervous! In the second half it was just about playing how we play. That’s why we’re champions, because when we play like that no-one can stop us.

“I don’t score too many lefties. I just saw it come and thought I’d hit it. I don’t really care who scored today – we won and we’re champions. [On the second goal] I visualise scoring crazy goals like that all the time, so I thought, ‘Just try it, just have a pop.’

“This is one of the best games I’ve played at Kingsmeadow. The United fans were great too and it’s great for us to win the title in front of our fans.

“Ji is class on the field and a character off the field too, who we’ll really miss. Drew’s a Chelsea legend and Jonna plays like a queen on the field. They’re all irreplaceable.”

Sam Kerr. Just too good for Manchester United today.
Sam Kerr. Just too good for Manchester United today. Photograph: Adam Davy/PA

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The Chelsea squad and backroom staff are all in a huddle, singing ‘Championes’. Fran Kirby is there too, which is lovely to see. Most of us will never know the euphoria they are feeling right now. These are really lovely scenes, and now the players are going on a lap of honour.

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Watch Sam Kerr’s goals

“Hard to see how Arsenal will be as creative if and when, as seems likely Miedema goes off to Barcelona,” says Charles Antaki. “The midfield is solid enough, but unless Mana Iwabuchi comes back in strongly or Jordan Nobbs avoids injury and gets a proper run, there’s not much devilment there. And up front Blackstenius hasn’t caught fire yet… Maybe Barça would like to donate a player in gratitude for what they’ll be getting.”

Full time: Reading 0-4 Manchester City

Alex Greenwood scored a fourth for City in injury time. They couldn’t be in better form as they look ahead to the FA Cup final against Chelsea next weekend.

CHELSEA ARE CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND FOR THE FIFTH TIME!

Full times: Chelsea 4-2 Man Utd, West Ham 0-2 Arsenal

The golden age of Chelsea FCW continues. They have won the WSL for the third season in a row and the fifth time in seven years.

They were pushed so hard all season by an exceptional Arsenal side, and had to go to the well one last time when they were 2-1 down to Manchester United at half-time. Sam Kerr came up with two staggering volleys, one with each foot, either side of an excellent goal from Guro Reiten.

Chelsea were jittery in the first half, but Emma Hayes was as proactive as ever – she brought on Ji, who reduced Chelsea’s heart-rate in midfield, and Beth England at half-time. Their dominant second-half performance brooked not a solitary argument.

Commiserations to Arsenal, who will be haunted by that defeat to Birmingham in January, but congratulations to Chelsea. In the end, they were deserved winners: today, and across the whole season.

Champions!
Champions! Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images/Reuters

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93 min: Chelsea 4-2 Manchester United The departing Chelsea legend Drew Spence replaces Sam Kerr, which allows the home fans to give a rousing ovation to both players.

90 min: Chelsea 4-2 Manchester United I was wrong. There will be a mere seven minutes of added time. But there is no sense that United are going to spoil the party - they are knackered, Chelsea are floating on air.

GOAL! Reading 0-3 Manchester City (White 85) Ellen White puts a little cherry on City’s Champions League cake. They have won 13 of their last 15 league games, an outstanding recovery from their desperate start to the season.

88 min: Chelsea 4-2 Manchester United Bruun wafts over from 20 yards. Apparently there will be eight minutes of added time, presumably in part because of the injury to Leah Galton.

86 min: Chelsea 4-2 Manchester United Replays suggest that Ji went down a bit easily, so that was a good - and brave - decision from the referee.

Ji So-Yun goes down in the box. No penalty.
Ji So-Yun goes down in the box. No penalty. Photograph: Naomi Baker/The FA/Getty Images

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84 min: Chelsea 4-2 Manchester United Ji goes over in the area after a tired challenge from Ladd. I thought it was a penalty at first glance; more importantly, the referee did not.

83 min: Chelsea 4-2 Manchester United Kerr hits a ferocious rising drive that clonks the head of Thorisdottir and goes behind. That might well have been going in the top corner.

83 min: Chelsea 4-2 Manchester United It’s been a noble effort from United, but they look tired now. A third goal would give them renewed energy; for now, though, Chelsea are keeping them at arm’s length without too much difficulty.

Chelsea have just had too much in this second half for Manchester United. That’s why they’re champions.
Chelsea have just had too much in this second half for Manchester United. That’s why they’re champions. Photograph: Adam Davy/PA

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82 min: Chelsea 4-2 Manchester United Another change for United. Signe Bruun is on for Jackie Groenen.

80 min: Chelsea 4-2 Manchester United Fleming is booked for stopping United from taking a free-kick.

79 min: Chelsea 4-2 Manchester United Ji’s well-struck shot is blocked by Zelem in the six-yard box.

77 min: Chelsea 4-2 Manchester United And another change for Chelsea. Jessie Fleming replaces Pernille Harder, who had a quiet game but made that crucial third goal.

76 min: Chelsea 4-2 Manchester United Another United change: Martha Thomas, who started this goalfest, is replaced by Vilde Boe Risa.

74 min: Chelsea 4-2 Manchester United A jaunty long-range curler from Zelem is comfortably held to her right by Berger.

71 min: Chelsea 4-2 Manchester United Ji, playing her final league game for Chelsea, shoots not far wide. She has added composure and authority to a Chelsea midfield that struggled in the first half, and her lovely pass led to the game-breaking third goal.

70 min: Chelsea 4-2 Manchester United Honestly, those two Kerr goals are scandalous. She should be arrested and put in the clink overnight to think about what she’s done.

GOAL! West Ham 0-2 Arsenal (Catley 66)

Arsenal have done their bit, but it’s not going to be enough. The title has surely been decided by two astonishing volleys from Sam Kerr, one with each foot.

Stephanie Catley scores the second for Arsenal. It looks they will fall just short in the title race.
Stephanie Catley scores the second for Arsenal. It looks they will fall just short in the title race. Photograph: John Walton/PA

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Chelsea are on the brink of the title, thanks in no small part to two stunning goals from Sam Kerr. The United keeper Mary Earps’s driven crossfield pass was intercepted by Reiten, who headed it forward to Kerr, 25 yards out with her back to goal. Kerr chested it up in the air, swivelled and swished a dipping volley into the net!

What a goal! She knew that Earps was still slightly out of position, having moved across to play that pass, and deliberately belted the volley into the other side of the goal. Earps scrambled across her line but was nowhere near it. That’s genius from Sam Kerr.

Updated

GOAL! Chelsea 4-2 Man Utd (Kerr 66)

Sam Kerr has scored another outrageous goal!

Oh, that’s magnificent from Sam Kerr. That should be that.
Oh, that’s magnificent from Sam Kerr. That should be that. Photograph: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Updated

65 min Galton is replaced by Kirsty Hanson. She’s lying down by the touchline with her right leg outstretched, clearly in a lot of pain. I think it’s an achilles injury.

64 min: Chelsea 3-2 Manchester United There’s a break in play while Leah Galton receives treatment. She fell awkwardly after a clumsy challenge from Millie Bright, and the pain is such that Galton is in tears.

GOAL! West Ham 0-1 Arsenal (Blackstenius 61)

Arsenal have finally taken the lead at West Ham! The substitute Stina Blackstenius has scored with her first touch, or rather series of touches, and that means Arsenal are one Manchester United goal away from the title.

Pos Team P GD Pts
1 Chelsea Women 22 50 56
2 Arsenal Women 22 54 55
3 Man City Women 22 36 47
4 Man Utd Women 22 24 42
5 Tottenham Hotspur Women 22 1 32

Updated

61 min: Chelsea 3-2 Manchester United After a torrid start to the second half, United are starting to have more of the ball. Chelsea need another goal before they can feel remotely comfortable.

59 min: Chelsea 3-2 Manchester United Another change for Chelsea: Aniek Nouwen replaces Niamh Charles.

58 min Here’s that excellent team goal, finished by Guro Reiten, which put Chelsea ahead for the first time today.

57 min: West Ham 0-0 Arsenal As it stands, there’s nothing Arsenal can do. But all they need is a two-goal swing - one for them, one for Man Utd - and they will be champions.

Pos Team P GD Pts
1 Chelsea Women 22 50 56
2 Arsenal Women 22 53 53
3 Man City Women 22 36 47
4 Man Utd Women 22 24 42
5 Tottenham Hotspur Women 22 1 32

54 min: Chelsea 3-2 Manchester United Groenen hits the post! It was a mishit cross from the right that beat the backpedalling Berger and hit the face of the far post.

54 min: Chelsea 3-2 Manchester United I’d love to know what Emma Hayes said at half-time. The substitutions have certainly helped, but there has been a notable increase in Chelsea’s intensity.

Guro Reiten, who has been fantastic all season, has put Chelsea ahead for the first time today. The move started when the substitute Ji guided a beautiful pass down the left to release Harder. She moved into the area and eased the ball back to the underlapping Reiten, who forced a first-time shot across Earps.

Updated

GOAL! Chelsea 3-2 Man Utd (Reiten 51)

Chelsea have turned it round in style!

Guro Reiten finishes off a wonderful team move for Chelsea. Is that the title?
Guro Reiten finishes off a wonderful team move for Chelsea. Is that the title? Photograph: Naomi Baker/The FA/Getty Images

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50 min Pick this out.

49 min: Chelsea 2-2 Man Utd, West Ham 0-0 Arsenal The title has already changed hands four times today.

Pos Team P GD Pts
1 Chelsea Women 22 49 54
2 Arsenal Women 22 53 53
3 Man City Women 22 36 47
4 Man Utd Women 22 25 43
5 Tottenham Hotspur Women 22 0 30

Updated

What a spectacular goal! Erin Cuthbert’s shot was blocked, with the ball looping towards the edge of the area. Kerr ran around the ball, watched it onto her left foot and launched a stunning volley past Mary Earps!

Updated

GOAL! Chelsea 2-2 Man Utd (Kerr 46)

Sam Kerr equalises after 47 seconds of the second half!

A spectacular goal from Sam Kerr as Chelsea level again!
A spectacular goal from Sam Kerr as Chelsea level again! Photograph: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

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46 min: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester United Peep peep! United begin the second half. No surprise to see that Emma Hayes has made a double half-time change: Sophie Ingle and Jonna Andersson off, Beth England and Ji So-Yun on.

“Nerves - that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?” weeps Arsenal fan Charles Antaki. “Also skill, endeavour, nous, determination, stamina and, for preference, a Miedema hat-trick.”

Sign up to our new(ish) women’s football newsletter!

Moving the Goalposts
Moving the Goalposts Illustration: Guardian Design

Our free and - the hell with false modesty - extremely good women’s football newsletter is almost two months old. This week’s edition will be written by the great Anita Asante. You can get it delivered to your inbox by signing up below.

Updated

Half time: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester United

Peep peep! Chelsea’s title hopes are made of gossamer. They struggled throughout the first half and deservedly trail to an impressive Manchester United. That’s the bad news. The good news is that they will surely play a lot better in the second half.

Pos Team P GD Pts
1 Arsenal Women 22 53 53
2 Chelsea Women 22 48 53
3 Man City Women 22 36 47
4 Man Utd Women 22 26 45
5 Tottenham Hotspur Women 22 0 30

Half time: West Ham 0-0 Arsenal

It isn’t going to plan for Arsenal either, though as things stand they are top of the WSL.

GOAL! Reading 0-2 Man City (Shaw 44) I’m reluctant to jump to any conclusions involving Manchester City after what happened to the men’s team in the week, but Bunny Shaw’s goal has surely secured third place and another crack at the Champions League.

Khadija Shaw scores the second for Manchester City just before half time.
Khadija Shaw scores the second for Manchester City just before half time. Photograph: David Davies/PA

Updated

43 min: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester United This is a decent spell for Chelsea, who have had a few corners in the last few minutes. The most recent, taken by Reiten, leads to a peedie scramble before United belt the ball clear.

Reading 0-1 Man City Here’s that Lauren Hemp goal, taken beautifully as usual. She is going to be a superstar, if she isn’t already.

40 min: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester United Earps makes a comfortable save from Kerr, who was pushed wide by Thorisdottir (I think). She mistimed the shot anyway, and it would have gone wide. Chelsea are missing the composure and mischievous creativity of Fran Kirby.

Mary Earps makes a save at the feet of Sam Kerr
Mary Earps makes a save at the feet of Sam Kerr. It’s not happening at the minute for the home side. Photograph: Naomi Baker/The FA/Getty Images

Updated

West Ham 0-0 Arsenal Still goalless, though it sounds like Arsenal have had plenty of chances.

Updated

39 min: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester United Chelsea have plenty of options on the bench, including Ji, Jessie Fleming and Beth England. Don’t be surprised if we see at least one of them at the start of the second half, certainly if the score stays like this.

GOAL! Reading 0-1 Man City (Hemp 33)

The magnificent Lauren Hemp has put City ahead at Reading, and that should be enough to secure a Champions League place next season. They only need a draw today.

If you’re not familiar with Lauren Hemp, familiarise yourself at your earliest convenience. In my admirably humble opinion, she’s the most exhilarating footballer in the league.

Lauren Hemp puts Manchester City ahead at Reading.
Lauren Hemp puts Manchester City ahead at Reading. Photograph: David Davies/PA

Updated

35 min: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester United Harder gives the referee a mouthful after being penalised for a foul on Zelem. Apart from a short spell before Cuthbert’s equaliser, Chelsea haven’t got going at all.

29 min: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester United

United have played so well in the first half-hour. They still need a favour from Reading if they are to have any chance of qualifying for the Champions League - their game with Manchester City is still 0-0 - but it’s been a thoroughly impressive performance.

Updated

West Ham 0-0 Arsenal

Updated

27 min Repeat after me: as, it, stands.

Pos Team P GD Pts
1 Arsenal Women 22 53 53
2 Chelsea Women 22 48 53
3 Man City Women 22 34 45
4 Man Utd Women 22 26 45
5 Tottenham Hotspur Women 22 0 30

I have no idea how that went in. Galton - who might have been offside - hit an excellent cross beyond the far post that was met on the volley by Toone, and it somehow sneaked past Berger at the near post. Ah, replays show there was a sizeable deflection off Andersson, which is why Berger was wrongfooted.

Updated

GOAL! Chelsea 1-2 Man Utd (Toone 25)

United are back in front!

Ella Toone scores for Manchester United.
Ella Toone restores the lead for Manchester United. It’s a long to way go but the title is Arsenal-bound as things stand. Photograph: Adam Davy/PA

Updated

23 min: Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United A free-kick from the right flashes across the area to Thorisdottir, who hits a brilliant flying volley that is blocked by Sam Kerr. The resulting croner is headed over by Russo beyond the far post. The angle was very tight, but she’s so good in the air that she probably should have done better.

Updated

West Ham 0-0 Arsenal It’s still goalless at the Chigwell Construction Stadium. All the other stats are in Arsenal’s favour: 74 per cent possession, five shots to West Ham’s none.

A long throw from the right hit the head of Zelem and dropped into no folk’s land 10 yards from goal. Cuthbert charged onto the ball, watched the bounce and slammed it past Mary Earps. That’s a brilliant finish!

Pos Team P GD Pts
1 Chelsea Women 22 49 54
2 Arsenal Women 22 53 53
3 Man City Women 22 34 45
4 Man Utd Women 22 25 43
5 Tottenham Hotspur Women 22 0 30

Updated

GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United (Cuthbert 18)

Erin Cuthbert, a carpe diem philosophy on legs, equalises for Chelsea!

Chelsea are level. Cuthbert gets the crucial equaliser.
Chelsea are level. Cuthbert gets the crucial equaliser. Photograph: Naomi Baker/The FA/Getty Images

Updated

18 min: Chelsea 0-1 Manchester United That goal has woken Chelsea up, and Cuthbert breaks down the right to win their first corner (I think). Reiten’s deep corner is headed away powerfully by Russo.

Updated

16 min Just the facts, Jack.

15 min It’s the updated as-it-stands table!

Pos Team P GD Pts
1 Arsenal Women 22 53 53
2 Chelsea Women 22 48 53
3 Man City Women 22 34 45
4 Man Utd Women 22 26 45
5 Tottenham Hotspur Women 22 0 30

As things stand, Arsenal are top of the league! It was such a simple goal from United: Katie Zelem’s excellent inswinging free-kick was met by the stretching Martha Thomas, who steered a looping header past Berger.

Arsenal are top as things stand as they kick-off away at West Ham.
Arsenal are top as things stand as they kick-off away at West Ham. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images/Reuters

Updated

GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Manchester United (Thomas 13)

It’s been coming!

Martha Thomas heads Manchester United into a deserved lead. Chelsea have been shaky.
Martha Thomas heads Manchester United into a deserved lead. Chelsea have been shaky. Photograph: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Updated

11 min: Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United Hayley Ladd is booked for bundling over Sam Kerr.

11 min: Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United It’s still all United. I’m loath to say at this stage that Chelsea look nervous. I just think the quality and speed of United’s start has taken them slightly by surprise.

9 min: Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United We’ve just seen a replay of that goalmouth scramble, during which Russo’s header hit the slightly outstretched arm of Eriksson. She was unsighted, but I’m not sure her arm was in a natural position. With VAR (ugh), that might have been a penalty to United.

Updated

7 min The final day of any season would not be complete without an early and essentially pointless look at the as-it-stands table.

6 min: Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United The corner is headed into the six-yard box by Russo, prompting a desperate scramble before Chelsea clear. There’s a clash of heads between Andersson and Eriksson, who are receiving treatment. Eriksson has come off worse.

5 min: Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United Man Utd have made a really good start, Alessia Russo in particular. She beats three players on the right and drives a cross that is hoofed behind for a corner by Millie Bright.

We’re underway at Kingsmeadow as Chelsea look to retain their title.
We’re underway at Kingsmeadow as Chelsea look to retain their title. Photograph: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Updated

3 min: Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United Russo curves a dangerous pass around the defence towards Galton, who is brilliantly tackled on the edge of the area by Carter. Without that tackle, Galton would have been through on goal.

Peep peep! The final day of the WSL season is under way.

The pre-match thoughts of Emma Hayes

Five minutes to kick off

The Chelsea players emerge to a lovely ovation from the home crowd. Emma Hayes follows, and immediately waves her hands to encourage the supporters to make even more noise.

Chelsea v Manchester United is being televised in the UK, so we’ll concentrate on that game, though we’ll obviously have goal updates from West Ham v Arsenal. May the best team win the title.

It’s a gorgeous day at Kingsmeadow, and I have nothing to add to this admittedly cursory weather bulletin.

The Champions League race Manchester City hold all the aces in this won. They only a draw away to Reading to clinch third place. And even if they lose, Manchester United would have to win at Chelsea to overtake them.

Pre-match reading

I’m going to pop and grab a coffee, so I’ll leave you with Suzanne Wrack and Louise Taylor’s preview of the final day of the season. The piece includes a typically interesting interview with Emma Hayes. I know she irritates some fans of Chelsea’s rivals loves her but, jeez, for the media, and us neutrals, she is a godsend.

Updated

Catch up with the Footballer of the Year

Chelsea are aiming for their third consecutive title, and their fifth in seven years. Think they’ve been here before? Yep, they’ve been here before.

Updated

West Ham v Arsenal team news

One change for Arsenal from the 3-0 win over Spurs on Wednesday: Katie McCabe replaces Stina Blackstenius.

Chelsea v Manchester United team news

No surprises in the Chelsea side. Beth England is replaced by Erin Cuthbert, who made such a difference from the bench at Birmingham last weekend, and Jonna Andersson replaces Jessie Fleming.

Sign up to our new(ish) women’s football newsletter!

Moving the Goalposts
Moving the Goalposts Illustration: Guardian Design

Our free and - the hell with false modesty - extremely good women’s football newsletter is almost two months old. This week’s edition will be written by the great Anita Asante. You can get it delivered to your inbox by signing up via the user-friendly box below.

Updated

Preamble

Look, it was always going to be like this. From the first weekend of the WSL season, when Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-2, it felt like they were both going to go the distance. We thought Manchester City might join them, but their false start made it a two-horse race. And what an unyielding race it has been, both a marathon and a spring. Between them Chelsea and Arsenal have dropped only 21 points in 42 games - and seven of those points were in games against one another.

It all comes down to today’s games, and the permutations are so straightforward that even a dunce like me know’s what’s what. If Chelsea win, they’ll be champions. If not, and Arsenal better their result, Arsenal will be champions. To make it even more exciting for the neutral, both teams have awkward games which come with no guarantees. Chelsea are at home to Manchester United, who still have an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League, while Arsenal are away to sixth-placed West Ham. Both teams should win, but should has never been worth much in association football.

By 2pm, either Arsenal or Chelsea will be champions. And by heck they’ll have earned it.

Kick off 12pm.

WSL Trophy
The WSL trophy is in line in a (hopefully) dramatic final day. Photograph: Naomi Baker/The FA/Getty Images

Updated

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