The Pride of London
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Chelsea captures its second consecutive FAWSL title

By Gabe Henderson

KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Fran Kirby of Chelsea Women celebrates with Sam Kerr after scoring their second goal during the Barclays FA Women's Super League match between Chelsea Women and Reading Women at Kingsmeadow on May 09, 2021 in Kingston upon Thames, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Fran Kirby of Chelsea Women celebrates with Sam Kerr after scoring their second goal during the Barclays FA Women's Super League match between Chelsea Women and Reading Women at Kingsmeadow on May 09, 2021 in Kingston upon Thames, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images) /
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The Premier League is widely considered the most entertaining football league in the world. However, where England’s top men’s division lacks, it’s premier women’s competition thrives. The Premier League has lacked a proper title race for the last two seasons as Liverpool and Manchester City have run away with the respective titles. Meanwhile, the FAWSL title came down to the final matchday once again as Chelsea and Manchester City vied for the top spot.

Chelsea confidently dispatched of Reading on the final day of the season to secure the title for the second consecutive season. The Blues were awarded the trophy last season on a points per game basis after COVID-19 cut the season short, but left no doubts in the minds of skeptics this time around. While they did not finish unbeaten for a second straight year, they managed to dominate the WSL with a record of 18-3-1.

Emma Hayes’ side went into matchweek 22 needing a win to ensure it topped the table. Chelsea wasted no time getting ahead, netting the opening goal within the opening two minutes. Jess Carter’s low corner found the feet of Melanie Leupolz, who confidently buried the go-ahead score from about 15 yards out. The Blues would not look back, to say the least.

Fran Kirby doubled the home side’s advantage and put a bow on the title race near halftime as she found the top corner from a pass delivered by Sam Kerr. The sure-fire WSL Player of the Season completed her brace shortly after the restart, putting the Blues up 3-0 on the day. This allowed Hayes to make changes with the biggest game of their season coming up in a week’s time. As if Super Fran hadn’t done enough, she assisted her side’s fourth as she and Kerr reversed rolls from a previous goal. Erin Cuthbert completed the scoring on the day, toeing the ball over the line from close range.

The 5-0 victory secured Chelsea’s fifth league title in the last seven years. It is also the Blues’ second major piece of silverware (third overall after the Community Shield win over Manchester City) this season. Chelsea is still competing on two other fronts, as well. The Blues find themselves in the fifth round of the FA Cup and the final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

If Chelsea is able to complete the historic quadruple, it would be the second club to ever achieve that feat in the English women’s game. Arsenal was the first when it won the league, the League Cup, the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup (now the Women’s Champions League) back in 2007. The Blues have already won the League Cup and WSL title this season; they can now focus on the UWCL final before going for the FA Cup afterward. Oddly enough, there is a direct connection between the historic Arsenal Women’s side of the mid-2000s and this Chelsea team: the manager.

Hayes was an assistant for the Gunners when they won the quadruple and is now inching closer to achieving that feat for a second time with her beloved Blues. During her nine years at the helm, the London native has transformed Chelsea into a force to be reckoned with. The Blues are undeniably the best side in the country—having dominated over the last few years—and are now on the cusp of European glory. The 2021 WSL trophy is Hayes’ 10th with Chelsea.

dark. Next. Chelsea Women make historic first Champions League final

The Blues are back in action next Sunday in Gothenburg against Barcelona in the Champions League final.

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