27 May 2023 , 15:30
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Chelsea claimed a fourth straight WSL title after a 3-0 win at Reading which relegated the home side.
Sam Kerr and Guro Reiten both found the net before half-time, with the Blues' title hopes never in any real jeopardy. Reading battled hard, but the defeat means they finish bottom of the WSL and will play in the Championship next season.
Kerr added a third goal late on to seal the win in fine style, with Emma Hayes team once again proving themselves to be the best side in the country. The win means that Man Utd's hard push came up narrowly short in their pursuit of the Blues, despite a 1-0 final day win over Liverpool.
Chelsea forward Kerr missed a sitter after only 14 minutes and with Reading looking dangerous on the counter-attack, it had the potential to be a nervy afternoon for the Blues. But only minutes later she powered home after wonderful work from Reiten out wide, to send Chelsea on their way to a seventh WSL title.
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Chelsea champions without needing any drama
This has been the most exciting title race in WSL history with four genuine contenders for the vast majority of the season. But in the end, it was a predictable sight at the full-time whistle with Emma Hayes and her Chelsea side once again celebrating winning the league.
Had they slipped up, United could have pipped them at the winning post. But that was never in doubt once Kerr put the visitors in front. The Blues' form in recent weeks means they are certainly worthy champions. No-one played more games in May and they have maintained their levels, despite United pushing them all the way.
Anyone wanting last-day drama will have been left disappointed. But this was a fitting way for this Chelsea to finish the job - in a clinical, ruthless and machine-like fashion.
Reiten puts Chelsea two to the goodReading down but defiant
As well as confirming Chelsea as champions, the result means Reading will be playing the Championship next season. A win may have seen them survive, if Leicester had failed to beat Brighton, but it was always going to be a tough ask for Kelly Chambers' side.
But to give the Royals their credit, they never stopped running and battling, even when Chelsea went two in front. They were short on quality this season, but certainly not short on heart, with home fans giving them a good reception at full-time.
They will face an uphill battle to bounce back with promotion next season. But if they can maintain the current crop of players, their team spirit alone should give them a fighting chance.
Reiten again the difference
Chelsea have had their share of outstanding performers in this title-winning campaign, but it is hard to look beyond Guro Reiten as their player of the season. And the Norwegian signed off in classy style to get the crucial second goal, which all but confirmed the Blues as champions.
A horrible error at the back from Easther Mayi Kith allowed Reiten in-behind the Royals defence not long before half-time. And she made no mistake with the finish, through the legs of Grace Moloney to seal the win.
Reiten's form in recent weeks has been outstanding and no-one is more deserving of a league winner's medal than her.
Kerr signs off for the season in style
The biggest shock of the opening stages came when Sam Kerr missed the sort of chance that quite simply Sam Kerr doesn't miss. The Aussie forward wrestled free of Cooper in the box, only to somehow blaze over with the goal gaping.
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Yet only seven minutes later she had the Blues on their way. Excellent work wide on the left from Guro Reiten gave Kerr the chance to immediately redeem herself. She didn't need a second invitation, powering a header past Grace Moloney to give Chelsea the lead.
From that point on, what potentially could have been a nervy afternoon, became very comfortable.
Sam Kerr heads home the opener against ReadingReading's loss of Rose proves crucial
Although they conceded relatively early, Reading showed enough promise on the counter attack to show that they could make things difficult for Chelsea. But crucial to this was the mobility of forward Deanne Rose, who recently has returned from injury.
She hassled and harried Magda Eriksson and Maren Mjelde in the early stages, giving the Royals real pace on the counter-attack. But she went off after barely half an hour, presumably after a reoccurrence of an injury.
Once Rose was out the contest Kelly Chambers' side were blunt in attack and unable to regularly worry the Blues backline.
Hayes' Blues know how to get over the line
Ideally for Chelsea they would have had the title in the bag last week, only for Man Utd to score an injury time winner over Man City and take the race to the last day. It's never easy playing a game knowing your entire league season is dependant on it.
But this is what Chelsea do. They relish the pressure of the league being decided on the final day - Emma Hayes even called it "business as usual for us" in her pre-game press conference.
When the heat is well and truly turned up, they always deliver. Over three consecutive weekends, at Wembley, Kingsmeadow and now Reading, Chelsea have reminded us all what separates them from the ever increasing competition. Keeping their cool in the big moments.
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