27 May 2023 , 15:19
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Chelsea have retained the WSL title after outclassing Reading 3-0 to win the league for the seventh time.
The Blues had to win to seal the league crown ahead of Man Utd and did so thanks to two goals from forward Sam Kerr, either side of one from winger Guro Reiten. The result means Emma Hayes' team are English champions for the fourth year on the spin.
It also means home side Reading are relegated to the Women's Championship after finishing bottom of the table, which ensures Leicester City stay in the top flight. At the start of the day United could still finish above Chelsea and pip them to the title and did win 1-0 at local rivals Liverpool thanks to a goal from Lucia Garcia. But their efforts were in vein.
Chelsea never looked like losing once Kerr headed home after fine work down the left wing from Reiten, the Aussie forward having just missed a sitter only minutes earlier. The win also completes a third straight league and cup double for the Blues, who beat United 1-0 at Wembley a fortnight ago to win the FA Women's Cup thanks to Sam Kerr's winner.
Hayes, who was inducted into the WSL Hall of Fame back in 2021, has now won seven WSL titles and 14 major trophies during her reign at the West London side. Reading knew at full-time the defeat had condemned them to the Championship next season, although even a win would have failed to save them after Leicester won at Brighton to seal survival.
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"What an unbelievable team I've got lucky," said Hayes after the win. "It was really emotional at the end of the game but I was man-marked by the cameraman so I didn't get the chance to let loose with a few tears.
Guro Reiten made it 2-0 to Chelsea"For us it's not just about building a team to compete, it's about growing - and looking at a wall of six thousand fans today gave me so much joy. Some of the players have gone through really tough times with not playing.
"I have to dispel this misnomer that players aren't happy when they don't play - they have the ability to look after themselves and games start coming around and on days like this they know it's absolutely worth it. We are family. These people are as close to me as my family."
Goalscorer Guro Reiten said: "I am so proud of everyone at this club. It has been a lot of hard work but days like today make it worth it. We've played so many games, you have to go again every third or fourth day. But we keep doing it again and again, digging deep, finding that special moment to win games."
The Blues were in control throughout the day, with United not taking the lead in their game until the 72nd minute when Garcia struck. In the end Chelsea finish on 58 points, two clear of Marc Skinner's Red Devils who were top of the table for much of the season.
Arsenal claimed the other Champions League place, despite losing 2-0 at home to Aston Villa, with Golden Boot winner and Barclays Player of the Year Rachel Daly among the scorers.