Chelsea Women clinched their fourth successive Women's Super League title in style with a 3-0 win over Reading Women, who have been relegated to the Championship.
Starting the day two points clear of Manchester United Women, Emma Hayes's side simply needed a maximum at the Madejski Stadium to cement their status as top dogs once again.
The top-versus-bottom clash in Berkshire followed the script to a tee, as two Sam Kerr goals either side of a Guro Reiten finish saw Chelsea make it four in a row in the WSL, as well as completing a domestic double following their FA Cup final win over Man United earlier this month.
Despite struggling to get into a free-flowing rhythm early doors, Chelsea quickly began to assume control of proceedings and went agonisingly close to opening the scoring in the 15th minute, as Grace Moloney tipped an Erin Cuthbert curler onto the bar at full stretch.
The hosts' resistance would not last much longer, though, as with 18 minutes gone, Reiten created a yard of space on the left-hand side and whipped in an inch-perfect cross for Kerr to nod home her 28th goal of the season.
As the saying goes, though, Chelsea were at their most vulnerable when they had just scored, and they survived a scare just three minutes after Kerr's opener, as Justine Vanhaevermaet headed a gilt-edged chance over the bar from just six yards out.
Barring a few short-lived signs of life in the final third, though, Reading were firmly on the backfoot, and they were soon the architects of their own downfall in the 42nd minute.
CHELSEA. CH𝟒MPIONS
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) May 27, 2023
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Perhaps caught in two minds facing her own goal, Easther Mayi Kith sold Moloney short with a backpass, and Reiten pounced on the loose ball to net Chelsea's second through the legs of the Reading goalkeeper.
Kelly Chambers's basement battlers shored up at the back following the restart, but Chelsea remained untroubled in their defensive third and the final nail in the Reading coffin was hammered in with 88 minutes gone, as Kerr struck the post from inside the box before prodding home the rebound for her second of the day.
The Blues end the season with a whopping 58 points - and a record-breaking 19 wins - from their 22 matches, 47 better off than Reading, whose seven-year stay in the big time came to an end with a whimper.
Chambers's side would have only given themselves a fighting chance of survival with a shock win on the final day, but they now prepare for life back in the Championship after amassing just 11 points all season long.
Elsewhere, Man United did all they could with a 1-0 win over Liverpool Women thanks to Lucia Garcia's second-half goal, but the Red Devils have been forced to accept a second-placed standing, which still marks their highest-ever finish in the division.
An injury-hit Arsenal Women's team suffered a 2-0 home loss to Aston Villa Ladies, who struck through Alisha Lehmann and Rachel Daly's 22nd top-flight goal of the campaign - equalling Vivianne Miedema's single-season record in the WSL - but the Gunners have still pipped Manchester City Women to third place.
Gareth Taylor's side survived a late scare to overcome Everton Ladies 3-2, ending level on points with Arsenal but losing out on a Champions League berth on goal difference, while a Bethany England brace was in vain as Tottenham Hotspur Ladies drew 2-2 with London rivals West Ham United Women.
Finally, Leicester Women - who started the day in 11th place - confirmed their survival with a 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion Women, leapfrogging their opponents in the process.
Ben Knapton
