Chelsea claimed their fifth Barclays Women’s Super League title in a row with an imperious 6-0 win over Manchester United on the final day.
Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa was not enough to chase Chelsea down with the London Blues claiming the title on goal difference to give manager Emma Hayes the perfect send-off.
Liverpool confirmed their place in the top four with victory over Leicester City and there were also wins for Arsenal, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.
The moment the final whistle blew at Old Trafford! 🤩#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/NhoArnK0nM
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 18, 2024
Chelsea defend their crown
Chelsea were devastating at Old Trafford to lift the BWSL title for a seventh time.
Knowing goal difference was likely to be the decider, Mayra Ramirez netted in just the second minute before setting up Johanna Rytting Kaneryd six minutes later.
She notched a second assist shortly after as Sjoeke Nusken scored a third before Ramirez completed her brace on the brink of half-time against a United side recovering from last weekend’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup triumph.
No one can stop Ramírez today!
Running riot for @ChelseaFCW #BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/e5TX8FrPNC
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 18, 2024
Chelsea did not let up in the second half with Melanie Leupolz stabbing home before the departing Fran Kirby hit the ball home to end her and Hayes’ Chelsea fairytale perfectly.
Hayes leaves Chelsea having transformed the women’s domestic game and having provided all seven of Chelsea’s league titles as well as five FA Cups and two Conti Cups.
Manchester City fall just short
Manchester City needed goals to overhaul Chelsea but their 2-1 win over Aston Villa was ultimately not enough to see them claim a second league title, as they missed out on goal difference by seven.
After Chelsea’s quick start, Mary Fowler’s fine strike in the 21st minute was only a small step back into the title race as City struggled to break Villa down.
Lauren Hemp, Laura Blinkilde-Brown and Alanna Kennedy all saw chances go begging.
Gareth Taylor’s side looked like they had run out of steam when Rachel Daly launched a stunning counter-attack that resulted in an equaliser, but Hemp grabbed the winner.
An outstretched leg from @lauren__hemp to poke the ball into the net! 🦵#BarclaysWSL @ManCityWomen pic.twitter.com/NcHnznrjTe
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 18, 2024
This marks a seventh second-place finish in the Super League for City, this time by the narrowest of margins.
The match at Villa Park was a chance to say goodbye to departing legends, with Carla Ward stepping down as Villa manager while Steph Houghton made her final BWSL appearance before retiring.
Liverpool return to top four
Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Leicester City confirmed their return to the BWSL top four for the first time since they won the title in 2014.
Matt Beard’s Reds have seen their aerial ability significantly increase this season as evidenced by two headed goals in either half from Sophie Roman Haug and Leanne Kiernan.
That PACE + FINISH from @kiernan_leanne! WOW! 🥵#BarclaysWSL @LiverpoolFCW pic.twitter.com/DZXIUcMqLM
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 18, 2024
Kiernan then scored two more in the second half to complete a hat-trick and confirm a fourth straight win for Liverpool, who did not lose consecutive league games throughout the season.
Meanwhile, Leicester City finish the season in 10th, their joint-highest finish, but without a win since February.
Miedema says goodbye to Arsenal
Vivianne Miedema scored her 80th and final BWSL goal for Arsenal in a 5-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.
Alessia Russo began the scoring with two quick-fire goals in the first half before Miedema added a third after the break.
WITH HER FIRST TOUCH VIV SCORES! 😱
A signature @VivianneMiedema finish, assisted by @bmeado9 🎯#BarclaysWSL @ArsenalWFC pic.twitter.com/2UvL0Z8g8B
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 18, 2024
The Gunners legend is departing the North London club at the end of her contract but had one final say as she steered Beth Mead’s perfect cross into the net with her first touch of the game.
Jorelyn Carabalí turned the ball into her own net before Arsenal wrapped up the win with a goal from Frida Maanum, which was set up by Miedema.
Toffees end on high
Everton were comfortable 4-0 winners against already-relegated Bristol City to claim their sixth win of the season.
Toffees top scorer Katja Snoeijs grabbed her fifth of the season with the opener on 16 minutes before she and assist provider Sara Holmgaard swapped roles minutes later for Everton’s second.
Linking up for @EvertonWomen 🔗#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/cQkHYCGCwj
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 18, 2024
After the break, Emma Bissell extended Everton’s lead on the volley before a late Martina Piemonte goal ensured Bristol City failed to pick up a point at home in their one-season stay in the BWSL.
Naz and Spence nick it for Spurs
Fresh from their Adobe Women’s FA Cup final defeat, Tottenham Hotspur beat West Ham United 3-1 thanks to late goals from Jess Naz and Drew Spence.
Bethany England got Spurs off to the best possible start with a goal in just the fourth minute but the hosts were unable to kick on.
And in the 50th minute Japanese internationals Riko Ueki and Honoka Hayashi combined for West Ham’s equaliser, with Ueki firing home a beautiful strike.
However, with four minute to go, Spurs retook the lead through Naz before a fine Spence goal saw Spurs end a successful campaign on a high.
Drew Spence that is outrageous 🤯#BarclaysWSL @SpursWomen pic.twitter.com/RYUSwMFRmo
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 18, 2024
Robert Vilahamn’s side finished in sixth place, jumping up two positions from last campaign while former Tottenham boss Rehanne Skinner did enough to keep West Ham up.
