Chelsea won their fourth consecutive WSL title as they produced one of the most convincing football scores of the weekend. In the last games of the 2022–23 season, the Blues led Manchester United by two points and knew that a victory would give them a second league championship. Chelsea finally had an easy victory thanks to Kerr’s early goal off of an excellent ball from Reiten. Then, shortly before halftime, the Norway international scored on her own after a defensive mistake. In the 88th minute, a brilliant pass over the top found the streaking Kerr, who scored on the rebound after her original shot struck the post to cap off a more subdued second half.
Additionally, after winning the Women’s FA Cup trophy two weeks ago, it is the third consecutive domestic double for Emma Hayes’ team. But after eight seasons in the WSL, Kelly Chambers’ Reading was demoted to the Women’s Championship, which was heartbreaking for their rivals.
The first 14 minutes were quite evenly matched, but Chelsea eventually seized the lead after two great chances. Erin Cuthbert’s attempt was stopped by a spectacular save from Reading custodian Grace Moloney after Kerr’s initial effort flashed over the goal’s face. But once Chelsea took the lead in the 18th minute, the custodian was quickly overpowered. Before putting a cross into the area, Reiten outran two defenders along the left side of the area. Kerr nodded past Moloney to overtake her as the leader. Reading quickly retaliated, but Justine Vanhaevermaet misdirected Emma Makandi’s cross. It was one of the Royals’ few opportunities for the half, and Chelsea’s pressure quickly resulted in another goal.
Easther Mayi Kith made a mistake that allowed Reiten to slip through and score past Moloney as Chelsea easily won the first half. After the interval, they kept asking questions. Kerr failed to react in time to a cross from Lauren James that was pinged toward the back post. Soon after, Pernille Harder had a similar predicament when she was unable to make it there in time for Cuthbert’s delivery. But the emotional farewells to Harder and Magdalena Eriksson as they leave the club this summer were one of the highlights of the second half. After their outstanding performances, both were substituted, giving them the opportunity to say farewell to the crowd.
After an outstanding campaign from the Australia striker, it was only natural that Kerr was the one to wrap things up. Kerr caught the end of a forward-pushing ball from Jelena Cankovic. Her initial attempt struck the bottom of the post, but she was quick to the rebound and beat Moloney to give Chelsea the WSL championship.
“What a fantastic team I have. I was under the cameraman’s full-time man-mark, therefore I was unable to cry freely. You know how much I care about the sport and the business; seeing at that wall of 6,000 supporters brought me such delight. It’s not just about establishing a club,” Chelsea Women manager Emma Hayes said. “Major life decisions shouldn’t be made when you’re exhausted, and I am exhausted. But I’ll take pleasure in these festivities. As I assume the pressure for the club, I am relieved. How many individuals consider their next move when they are really exhausted? I’m going to take a vacation, unwind, be a mother, and do all of those things. You just learned how to dodge a question from me!”
“It’s a difficult day. The league is honest about the season. You must perform well throughout the entire season, but a team like ours now cannot compete with the investment that other clubs are making,” Reading manager Kelly Chambers said. “It’s a difficult day. The league is honest about the season. You must perform well throughout the entire season, but a team like ours now cannot compete with the investment that other clubs are making.”
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