Sam Kerr’s double for Chelsea against Manchester United clinches WSL title

Two stunning volleys from Sam Kerr helped Chelsea to a third consecutive Women’s Super League title as the Blues twice came from behind to earn a thrilling 4-2 win over Manchester United.

With Arsenal one point behind the title holders, the destination of the WSL trophy swung between north and south-west London as United pushed Chelsea hard at a packed and sun-drenched Kingsmeadow.

The United forward Martha Thomas gave her team the lead that would send the away fans 25 miles to the north-east, where West Ham faced second-placed Arsenal, wild with hope. Chelsea hit back through Erin Cuthbert but the visitors reclaimed the lead before the break through Ella Toone. But Kerr’s double, sandwiching a close-range effort from Guro Reiten, took her season tally to 20 and secured Chelsea a third consecutive title.

Emma Hayes had been characteristically dismissive when asked whether she was feeling any pressure going into today’s game. “Look at the cost of inflation, look at the rising costs for people paying the bills, this is far from pressure, this is a joy, I love my job,” she said.

The problem was that, in Manchester United, Chelsea were playing a team with a chance of reaching the Champions League for the first time. After an shaky, injury-hit start to the season, their derby rivals Manchester City had clawed their way back into third, with a two-point lead over United in fourth. Marc Skinner’s team needed a win against the holders and for Reading to take points from Manchester City.

The United manager had said they were “going to try and win” and his side began exactly as the manager hoped, with an intensity fitting of a team ready to push on and upset things at the top of the table next season.

Within three minutes, a