Emphatic comeback sees Chelsea clinch FAWSL trophy on final day

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Chelsea are FA Women’s Super League winners for the third year in a row!




With Chelsea leading Arsenal by just one point coming into decision day (and Arsenal ahead on goal differential), the Blues needed a win to be crowned as winners.




But they didn’t make it easy early, as Manchester United lead the match on two occasions at Chelsea’s Kingsmeadow Stadium.




The Big Results



Chelsea 4, Manchester United 2



Manchester United took the lead just 13 minutes into the match on Sunday, when a header by Martha Thomas beat Ann-Katrin Berger.

AND @ManUtdWomen OPEN THE SCORING!

Chelsea 0, United 1 pic.twitter.com/njCXjuOcfO
— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) May 8, 2022

Chelsea equalized quickly through a superb strike by Erin Cuthbert, but a first-time volley by Ella Toone put United back into the lead before halftime.




As things stood at the halftime break, with Chelsea losing and Arsenal level nil-nil with West Ham, the Gunners would have captured the title. But back at Kingsmeadow, Sam Kerr and Guro Reiten had other ideas.




Just 45 seconds into the second half, Sam Kerr opened the floodgates for Chelsea. United couldn’t clear an errant ball into their box, and Kerr’s acrobatic volley landed perfectly on target for the equalizer.

WHAT A STRIKE BY SAM KERR!

And Chelsea equalize! pic.twitter.com/hDNZrw17B9
— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) May 8, 2022

With Arsenal now leading West Ham 1-0 back in London, a draw for Chelsea wouldn’t be enough.




But just five minutes after Kerr’s equalizer, Guro Reiten came to the rescue and put the Blues ahead for the first time on Sunday. A lovely through ball from substitute Ji So-Yun fed Pernille Harder, who crossed to Reiten for the tidy finish in front of goal.




Finally in the lead, and in position to secure the title, Chelsea scored one last insurance goal, and it was Kerr once again. Saving her best bit of skill for last, Kerr brought the ball down with her chest, and – while turning towards goal – volleyed it up and over an out of position Mary Earps.

OH MY! Sam Kerr makes it 4-2!!

20 minutes to go, but is that the title wrapped up for Chelsea?pic.twitter.com/MuCY5CO9R4
— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) May 8, 2022

Chelsea now firmly had their hands on the WSL trophy and soared to the 4-2 victory.




West Ham United 0, Arsenal 2



Arsenal turned on the charm in the second half with goals by super sub Stina Blackstenius (her first touch of the match!) and a rocket from Steph Catley. The win secured Arsenal three points, but Chelsea’s win meant it wasn’t good enough for the title.

Steph Catley with this banger to make it 2-0 for Arsenal over West Ham! pic.twitter.com/hD5jgtqcyB
— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) May 8, 2022

With her contract up and no trophies to show from the season, Gooners have been left wondering if Sunday was the last time they will ever see Vivianne Miedema in an Arsenal shirt.




Reading 0, Manchester City 4



Goals from Lauren Hemp, Bunny Shaw, Ellen White, and a penalty by Alex Greenwood earned Manchester City the 4-0 win over Reading on Sunday, and secured third place – and the much coveted final Champions League spot for next season. After a disastrous start to the season that saw City sitting in ninth place in week seven, the Citizens will be pleased with their months-long comeback.

Stop that @lauren__hemp!

The @ManCityWomen winger is having a season!#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/XStgeh76tu
— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) May 8, 2022

This post will be updated.



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