Barclays WSL 
Manchester City signed off their title-winning Women's Super League campaign in style, defeating West Ham United 4-1 on the final day to lift the trophy for the first time since 2016.
Andrée Jeglertz’s side were given a guard of honour by the Hammers players before kick off at the Etihad Stadium and collected the silverware shortly after a comfortable victory.
Canada international Jade Rose opened the scoring in the 13th minute, smashing home from close range after West Ham failed to clear a corner. Khadija Shaw, the league’s top scorer, added a second in the 57th minute, converting Aoba Fujino’s low cross from the right.
The Jamaica striker’s goal saw her become the first player in WSL history to reach 20 goals in three separate seasons. It was also her 100th goal involvement in just 93 appearances – a milestone only team mate Vivianne Miedema has achieved quicker (83 games).
West Ham pulled one back five minutes later through Seraina Piubel, but Shaw restored City’s two-goal cushion in the 72nd minute with a clinical finish into the bottom corner. Laura Coombs, who will retire at the end of the season after a 19-year career, wrapped up the scoring ten minutes from time, her deflected strike looping into the net for 4-1.
Arsenal comfortably beat Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield to finish second in the table and secure automatic qualification for the league phase of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Alessia Russo opened the scoring after 21 minutes when her floated cross sailed straight in. Mariona Caldentey doubled the lead with a powerful strike following a well worked short corner involving Katie McCabe, who was making her final appearance for the Gunners. Russo added her second before half time, firing into the top corner from Victoria Pelova’s low cross.
Liverpool goalkeeper Jennifer Falk made several fine saves to prevent a heavier defeat, denying Stina Blackstenius and Emily Fox before Zara Shaw netted a 74th minute consolation for the Reds.
Arsenal’s runners-up finish sees them enter league phase of the Champions League, while third placed Chelsea must navigate qualifying play-offs. Sam Kerr marked her final appearance for Chelsea with the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Manchester United, but the Blues were unable to leapfrog Arsenal into second place. Kerr met a Lauren James cross with a crisp near post volley to round off her Chelsea career in style, finishing level with Fran Kirby on 116 goals as the club’s all-time top scorer.
Despite United’s bright start and a strong second half response – with Ellen Wangerheim hitting the post – Chelsea held on.
Tottenham Hotspur capped their best-ever WSL season with a dramatic comeback victory over FA Cup finalists Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium. Brighton took the lead through Madison Haley after a fumble by Spurs keeper Lize Kop. However, Olivia Holdt equalised nine minutes from time, and Toko Koga lobbed home a spectacular stoppage time winner after Sophie Baggaley was caught off her line. The result extended Tottenham’s unbeaten run on the final day to six matches and ended Brighton’s club record five-game unbeaten streak in the league.
Freya Godfrey struck in added time as London City Lionesses came from behind to beat Aston Villa and finish their debut WSL season in sixth place. Villa took a fortuitous lead in first half stoppage time through Lynn Wilms’ deflected strike. Danielle van de Donk equalised in the 73rd minute, before Godfrey burst clear to slot home the winner in the third minute of injury time. The victory lifted London City above Brighton into the top half of the table.
Everton substitute Maz Pacheco scored an injury time winner to secure a 1-0 victory over Leicester City at Goodison Park. Leicester were on the verge of their first league clean sheet since December until Pacheco tapped home in the sixth minute of added time. The result extended Leicester’s losing run to eleven league games ahead of their forthcoming relegation play-off against Charlton Athletic. Courtney Brosnan was the hero for Everton with several key saves, including a double stop from Sam Tierney and Olivia McLoughlin.
Leading goalscorers:
21 - Khadija Shaw (Manchester City);
13 - Alessia Russo (Arsenal);
12 - Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa);
10 - Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal);
10 - Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City);
9 - Kerolin (Manchester City);
8 - Olivia Holdt (Tottenham Hotspur);
8 - Kiko Seike (Brighton & Hove Albion);
7 - Beth England (Tottenham Hotspur);
7 - Sam Kerr (Chelsea);
7 - Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea);
6 - Freya Gregory (London City Lionesses);
6 - Frida Maanum (Arsenal);
6 - Melvine Malard (Manchester United);
6 - Shekiera Martinez (West Ham United);
6 - Beata Olsson (Liverpool);
6 - Jess Park (Manchester United);
6 - Cathinka Tandberg (Tottenham Hotspur);
6 - Elisabeth Terland (Manchester United);
(League goals only)
