Chelsea lead way on final day
Chelsea will take a one point lead into the final day of the season after they won 1-0 away to Birmingham City in torrential rain.
A second half penalty from Pernille Harder, which had been hotly disputed by the home side, broke Birmingham’s resistance and ensured that Chelsea will have matters in their hands at the start of the final match.
Arsenal did all they could to keep themselves in the race, first of all beating Aston Villa 7-0. Vivianne Miedema scored twice along with Beth Mead, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Stina Blackstenius, a Nikita Parris penalty and an unfortunate own goal from Rachel Corsie. The Gunners followed this up in midweek with a 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium, Mead giving them the lead and Caitlin Foord bagging a second half brace.
Manchester City are in the driving seat for the other Champions League spot following a goal laden week. Khadjia Shaw scored four times as they beat Brighton & Hove Albion 7-2, being joined on the scoresheet by Caroline Weir, Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hemp, whilst Inessa Kaagman and Julia Zigiotti Olme netted consolations for the Seagulls. In midweek, they sealed Birmingham City’s fate with a 6-0 victory, with all of the goals coming in the second half. Georgia Stanway (2), Lauren Hemp, Alanna Kennedy, Chloe Kelly and Laura Coombs all scored for City.
Manchester Utd kept their top three hopes alive by beating West Ham Utd 3-0. Martha Thomas gave United an early lead which was doubled by a Grace Fisk own goal and Leah Galton completed the scoring. United must beat leaders Chelsea to stand any chance of third place, whilst the Hammers take on Arsenal in another significant game.
Leicester City picked up a valuable point when sharing a goalless draw with Reading FC Women. The game saw few chances at either end but strangely enough, was Leicester’s first draw in 21 matches in what is now a successful battle against relegation in their first season in the top flight.
The points were also shared at Everton where the home side battled out a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur. Asmita Ale gave Spurs a fifth minute lead and they remained in front for most of the game until Danielle Turner scored a late equaliser. Tottenham’s response was instant, with Josie Green putting them staright back in front, but once again Everton came up with a response and Megan Finnigan earned them a share of the spoils by heading in an injury time equaliser.
