The WSL title decider between Manchester City and Chelsea was everything fans hoped it would be.
Despite being somewhat overshadowed by the European Super League drama, the two teams still managed to put on a show and play to a 2-2 draw.
The first half was highlighted by bright attacking and at times chaotic defending.
Chelsea struck first off a header by Sam Kerr in the 25th minute.
Simply the best in the world 🤩
— Ata Football (@atafball) April 21, 2021
Sam Kerr is now 🔝 scorer with 18 #BarclaysFAWSL goals! #WatchWithAta pic.twitter.com/q3nC24nL4u
Four minutes later, Manchester City responded with a goal from Chloe Kelly.
CHLOE KELLY with the equalizer to get @ManCityUS back in the game!
— Ata Football (@atafball) April 21, 2021
This is getting good 😎 #WatchWithAta pic.twitter.com/zcWxacREBk
Pernille Harder broke the tie when she capitalized on her own penalty in the 33rd minute to give the Blues a 2-1 lead heading into the half.
Not one to go quietly, Manchester City capitalized in the 75th minute off a Lauren Hemp goal to even the score at 2-2.
Hemp makes it level 🤯 @ManCityUS are reaching for the 🏆 #WatchWithAta pic.twitter.com/wvjqavzbP2
— Ata Football (@atafball) April 21, 2021
Heading into the final 10 the Blues keeper Ann-Katrin Berger made a monster save to deny Manchester City their third after a bullet header from Lauren Hemp.
WHAT. A. SAVE.
— Ata Football (@atafball) April 21, 2021
Berger denies City a third goal in what could be the save of the season 👏👏👏 #WatchWithAta pic.twitter.com/VzphOtRoNX
A foul on Jess Carter in the 86th minute led to a free kick for Chelsea that they were unable to capitalize on.
In the 94th minute, a Lucy Bronze header went just wide of the post to keep the score locked at doubles. It would remain tied as the horn sounded to end the game.
With the tie, Chelsea keeps their two point lead over City in the FAWSL standings with two games remaining.
Just 48 hours after its formation, the European Super League has collapsed with nine of the 12 clubs involved withdrawing.
The launch was controversial, drawing widespread backlash from FIFA and the UEFA, soccer’s global fanbase, and even heads of state (looking at you, Prince William).
Tuesday evening, all six English clubs were the first to announce their intentions to withdraw. Following them Wednesday morning were Atlético Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan. Multiple reports have stated that Barcelona was also in the process of withdrawing from the league.
Many had raised questions about what the league would mean for the women’s teams. The announcement Sunday came with the stipulation that a Women’s Super League would be formed — after the men’s league was already established.
UEFA chief of women’s football Nadine Kessler pushed back against the Super League, calling it “direct threat.” Her sentiment was shared by Olympique Lyonnais forward Ada Hegerberg.
UEFA chief of women’s football Nadine Kessler has joined the call in speaking out against the new Super League.
Kessler appealed to players in a letter posted on Twitter Tuesday, stating that now is “the time to show solidarity” within the women’s game, which is “still in the early stages” of development.
A women’s European Super league? No, because solidarity matters. pic.twitter.com/bFypx3dyZj
— Nadine Kessler (@NaddelKe) April 20, 2021
She added that the move came “without any consultation” and is a “direct threat to all the plans we have carefully crafted” in order to help grow the women’s game.
Buried in Sunday’s announcement was the plan to formulate a Women’s Super League — after the men’s league has already been established.
Others have joined in vocalizing their concern about the formation of the Super League and how it will affect the women’s teams.
What I really want to know is how badly the women sides will be impacted. WoSo has been growing steadily in Europe. I have no faith that this proposed mega league will do anything than think of women's football as an afterthought. #SuperLeague
— Shireen Ahmed (@_shireenahmed_) April 20, 2021
It’s disappointing that leaders in the European football industry are focusing their efforts on a league that will further widen the gender gap in professional soccer, instead of investing in the women’s game. (4/4) #SuperLeague #MensSuperLeague #WoSo
— GOALS (@goals_sports_) April 20, 2021
Do you know when the Manchester United Women's team first played at Old Trafford? 2021.
— Sasky Stewart (@Sasky) April 20, 2021
Why? Because until 3 years ago, they didn't have a women's program. One of the world's most famous clubs couldn't be bothered.
None of them will care. They don't now. #SuperLeague
Others have likewise pointed out that powerhouse women’s teams like Olympique Lyonnais and Paris-Saint Germain would be excluded from the new Super League in its current format.
Despite the fact that the league has been rebuked by FIFA and threatened expulsion by the UEFA, clubs involved in the league have confirmed their intent to move forward in the process.
Following reports of a Super League being formed by twelve of Europe’s top clubs, Ada Hegerberg is speaking out.
The Olympique Lyonnais forward tweeted on Monday, stating that “greed is not the future.”
I grew up loving the @ChampionsLeague. Then I got to play in the @UWCL. Then I got to win 5 of them and become the all-time leading goalscorer. It's legacy. It's the past, present, and future, so is meritocracy in sports. Greed is not the future. pic.twitter.com/8cLlCbMnQd
— Ada S Hegerberg (@AdaStolsmo) April 19, 2021
She’s one of the first elite footballers to speak out on the topic after the news came out on Sunday. All 12 clubs are expected to resign from the European Club Association immediately after the UEFA threatened expulsion.
A women’s Super League is also being planned to be launched after the men’s league.
The initiative has already been rebuked by FIFA and numerous FAs throughout Europe, as well as UEFA chief of women’s football Nadine Kessler.