The Women’s Super League title came down to the final weekend, with defending champions Chelsea heading into the 22nd and last matchday of the season with just a two-point cushion at the top of the table over rivals Manchester City. Both teams had lost only once this season — City to Chelsea and Chelsea shockingly to Brighton — and while Chelsea had a slightly better goal differential, we needed a win to make sure that the title stayed in West London.
And a win is precisely what we got, our 18th of the season, confirming our fourth WSL title, second in a row and third in the last four seasons. It’s our sixth top flight crown all told, and the third trophy of the season, with two more still to go — including the big one next Sunday in the Women’s Champions League final against Barcelona as we bid to make history.
2020/21 @BARCLAYSFAWSL CHAMPIONS!!! #CFCW pic.twitter.com/ffSPUGk5Ax
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) May 9, 2021
Chelsea opened the scoring early against mid-table Reading today, with midfield supremo Melanie Leupolz finishing off a corner routine just 70 seconds into the contest. Leupolz, one of the club’s key signings over the past 18 months, has been magnificent all season even if the headlines were more often taken by the team’s sparkling attacking talents.
And perhaps none have shone as brightly as Super Fran Kirby, who grabbed a brace with a goal either side of half-time to make sure of the points, the win, and the title. Kirby now has 25 goals in 30 appearances this season, pulling one ahead of Sam Kerr for the team lead. Kerr got Chelsea’s fourth today (21st in the league, giving her the Golden Boot) and young Erin Cuthbert added a fifth for good measure.
The Blues saw out the game without too much trouble, saving plenty of energy for the celebrations at the final whistle — and of course for next weekend’s big game.
Champions!
What a team!
Back-to-back champions ✅
— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) May 9, 2021
Record-setting fourth #BarclaysFAWSL title ✅
Congratulations, @ChelseaFCW! pic.twitter.com/TMncAwNM76