Emma Hayes and Chelsea are once again WSL champions.
The Blues’ forceful performance against Reading propelled the club to their fifth title in seven years.
Back-to-back CHAMPIONS! 🏆🏆#CFCW pic.twitter.com/VMsifHQZQC— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) May 9, 2021
Back-to-back CHAMPIONS! 🏆🏆#CFCW pic.twitter.com/VMsifHQZQC
Chelsea wasted no time in their championship bid, netting their first goal in the 2nd minute. Melanie Leupolz, redirecting Jess Carter’s corner, rifled the ball through traffic past Reading’s keeper to put the Blues up 1-0.
Melanie Leupolz connects sweetly with @_jesscarter's corner! 🤩#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/RKuEBy89Oz— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) May 9, 2021
Melanie Leupolz connects sweetly with @_jesscarter's corner! 🤩#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/RKuEBy89Oz
Just minutes before half, Chelsea struck again. This time it was the familiar Kerr-to-Kirby combination that doubled the Blues’ lead. Sam Kerr, striding into the box, slotted the ball back for Fran Kirby, who knocked the Australian’s cross into the upper 90.
That Kerrby link up!@frankirby 🔗 @samkerr1 #BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/kYY9cy0eUp— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) May 9, 2021
That Kerrby link up!@frankirby 🔗 @samkerr1 #BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/kYY9cy0eUp
Chelsea continued to dominate the game in the second half, the title now well within reach.
In the 57th minute, Kirby added her name to the score sheet for a second time. Kerr once again set up the Lioness at the top of the box, where Kirby rocketed a shot into the far post.
Loves a goal against her former club!@frankirby with the stunner!#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/ior77LoajF— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) May 9, 2021
Loves a goal against her former club!@frankirby with the stunner!#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/ior77LoajF
It wasn’t long before the lethal Kerr and Kirby combination struck again. In the 71st minute, Kerr tapped in a chipped ball from Kirby to put Chelsea up 4-0.
🍦 A scoop from @frankirby is finished off by @samkerr10!#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/3ZZK0c1T3U— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) May 9, 2021
🍦 A scoop from @frankirby is finished off by @samkerr10!#BarclaysFAWSL pic.twitter.com/3ZZK0c1T3U
Less than five minutes later the Blues added another goal to their overwhelming lead. This time Erin Cuthbert got in on the action, collecting a deflected save by Reading’s keeper, putting the final score at 5-0.
GOAL FIVE! 🤩🔵 5-0 🔴 [75'] #CFCW pic.twitter.com/PcNH4wTMDp— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) May 9, 2021
GOAL FIVE! 🤩🔵 5-0 🔴 [75'] #CFCW pic.twitter.com/PcNH4wTMDp
Sunday’s win solidified Chelsea’s place atop the WSL standings, earning the club back-to-back league championships.
The Blues have little time to bask in the glory of their title win, as Chelsea seeks to capture the Champions League championship in next Sunday’s final against Barcelona.