Chelsea have been confirmed as this season’s Women's Super League champions after beating Manchester United.
Lucy Bronze’s header would be the only deciding factor on the night as Chelsea won a nervy contest 0-1 at Leigh Sports Village, but where only one point was required to secure the title, three would do fine.
The veteran full-back Bronze, signed from Barcelona last summer after winning back-to-back Champions League trophies, has been among Chelsea’s most consistent players this season, leading the squad through a transitional period after Emma Hayes left the club following a 12-year stint in charge.
Arsenal had the opportunity to delay the Blues’ party, but were subjected to a five-goal thrashing by Aston Villa earlier in the evening. Two second-half goals from Stina Blackstenius and Alessia Russo will aid Arsenal’s goal difference, but left the ball in Chelsea’s court to complete their title defence in the Northwest.
Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea have been runaway favourites for much of the season and remain unbeaten with two matches remaining, now sitting nine points clear of second-placed Arsenal.
The Blues have dropped points in just three league fixtures this year, recording draws against West Ham, Brighton, and Leicester.
Having confirmed another WSL crown, Chelsea remain on course for a domestic treble. They downed a plucky Manchester City side in March’s League Cup final and will face Manchester United in the FA Cup final in late May.
Their domestic success has not been mirrored in Europe, though, as they crashed out of the Champions League at the hands of Barcelona on Sunday, losing 8-2 on aggregate.
But hoisting another league trophy at Stamford Bridge on the final day of the season will be the perfect consolation.
