Reading 0-3 Chelsea: Chelsea win fourth successive WSL title

Chelsea won the Women’s Super League for a fourth successive season as they cruised to a final-day victory against Reading and consigned the home side to relegation.

It was a comfortable victory for the Blues and it was fitting that Sam Kerr and Guro Reiten delivered the goals after their performances this season played such a key role in Chelsea’s success.

The two combined for the early opener as Reiten’s cross was headed in by Kerr, before the Norwegian midfielder slotted past goalkeeper Grace Moloney to make it 2-0 before half-time.

Kerr confirmed victory in the closing stages when she raced through on goal and poked in the rebound after her initial shot was saved.

The Royals’ eight-year stay in the top tier came to an end but they have defied the odds for several seasons, competing with clubs affiliated to Premier League sides and on much larger budgets.

One more miracle was needed and they could not produce it, although fans stayed to applaud warmly after staff and players fell to their knees in disappointment at the full-time whistle.

Chelsea, meanwhile, show they have not loosened their grip on the WSL despite increasing competition from their rivals.

This title is perhaps their most impressive given they have had to fight off those challengers while dealing with injury setbacks and illness to manager Emma Hayes.

Their dominance on English women’s football is not waning and a fourth league crown in a row is an astonishing achievement.

More to follow.