The title was in Chelsea's hands but Emma Hayes's side found themselves 2-1 down at half-time after goals from Martha Thomas and Ella Toone stunned Kingsmeadow and put Arsenal to the top of the table. But Chelsea made an immediate response after the break as Sam Kerr and Guro Reiten, two key players in their title campaign, fired them ahead for the first time - before Kerr added a fourth with what was perhaps the goal of the season from 30 yards.
It was a worthy way to wrap up the title, Chelsea's fifth in six seasons, after a race with Arsenal that had been neck and neck since the opening day. Arsenal did their part with a closing 2-0 victory over West Ham and ultimately the title would have been theirs if it had not been for a shock 2-0 defeat to Birmingham City in January, in what was the Gunners' only loss of the campaign.
It was a result that was illustrative of what has been a wild and unpredictable campaign, and that continued right up until the final day where the title was up for grabs and there were trophies at both Kingsmeadow and at West Ham in case there was one final twist.
Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin May 09, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin May 09, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Harry is trying to shed his royal skin – but he is a man who can't escape his past
The sight of Harry flying in, but unable to see his father will have saddened many. But, embarking on a ‘mini royal tour' in Nigeria isn't going to heal family rifts
Naive Burnley counts cost of mistakes with relegation
Some predictions don't stand the test of time. It is a little over a year since Pep Guardiola declared it was Vincent Kompany's destiny to manage Manchester City.
Anderson confirms he will retire after first Lord's Test
Over and out: England's greatest bowler will bow out at the home of cricket
Double delight for Gvardiol as City cruise into top spot
One game closer for Manchester City, one match down as they seek to not just retain the Premier League but end the campaign with a domestic double.
Bailed Modi rival calls for India to resist 'dictatorship'
Hours after India's apex court granted bail to Delhi's chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday, the opposition leader launched an attack against the ruling Modi government, urging voters in the ongoing general election to bring an end to \"dictatorship\".
Two men arrested after pair die in Wolverhampton fire
Two women in their twenties have died in a house fire in Wolverhampton, police have confirmed, and two men, aged 19 and 22, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Fraudster's broken marriage 'made him human butcher'
Marius Gustavson sought 'empowerment' in a subculture centred around male castration, a court heard
The manor house in Sussex that became a club for spies
After long enjoying hosting Russian diplomats, the pile was recently stripped of its special status, much to the relief of the locals, who have warned of suspicious activity for years
Met Office storm warning after hottest day of the year
Bournemouth yesterday enjoyed warm and dry weather but faces possible storms today
Wembley roar! Earps can be United's silverware saviour
Manchester United face Spurs in the FA Cup final - and all eyes will be on the England keeper, writes Jamie Braidwood