Reading Women vs Chelsea Women. Women's Super League.
Select Car Leasing StadiumAttendance6,305.
Match report as Sam Kerr and Guro Reiten scored the goals as Chelsea comfortably secured another WSL title at the Select Car Leasing Stadium; the Blues knew a win would see them complete another domestic double; Kelly Chambers' Reading were relegated to the Championship with defeat
Sunday 28 May 2023 07:28, UK
Goals from Sam Kerr and Guro Reiten fired Chelsea Women to a fourth successive WSL title on the final day of the season, beating Reading Women 3-0 as the Royals were relegated.
The Blues were two points ahead of Manchester United heading into the last fixtures of the 2022/23 season, knowing a win would see them to another league trophy.
It was ultimately an easy victory for Chelsea, with Kerr firing them ahead inside 18 minutes after a superb pass from Reiten. The Norway international then took advantage of an error at the back to score herself just before the break.
The second half was a quieter affair but was rounded off in style in the 88th minute as a superb ball over the top found the run of Kerr, who scored on the rebound after her initial effort hit the post.
It is also a third domestic double in a row for Emma Hayes' side, having secured the Women's FA Cup trophy two weeks ago.
There was despair for their opponents, though, as Kelly Chambers' Reading were relegated to the Women's Championship after eight seasons in the WSL.
It was a fairly even opening 14 minutes - but after two huge chances, Chelsea finally took the lead. Kerr sent a first effort flashing across the face of goal, before Reading goalkeeper Grace Moloney made a sensational save to keep out Erin Cuthbert's shot.
But the stopper was soon beaten as Chelsea went ahead in the 18th minute. Reiten beat two defenders down the left of the area before sending a cross into the area. Kerr was there to beat her marker, nodding past Moloney.
Reading hit back almost instantly, but Justine Vanhaevermaet headed Emma Makandi's cross wide. It was one of the only chances of the half for the Royals, and Chelsea's pressure soon paid off a second time as they doubled their lead just before the break.
A moment of indecision and poor touch from Easther Mayi Kith allowed Reiten to nip through before slotting home past Moloney as Chelsea cruised at half-time.
They continued to probe after the break. Lauren James pinged a cross towards the back post, but Kerr could not get there in time. It was a similar situation soon after, with Pernille Harder unable to reach Cuthbert's delivery in time.
But one of the highlights of the second half were the fond farewells to Harder and Magdalena Eriksson as they depart the club this summer. Both were substituted, given their chance to wave goodbye to the fans after their stellar service.
It was fitting that Kerr was the player to round things off after a superb season from the Australia striker. Jelena Cankovic pumped the ball forward, which Kerr latched onto the end of. Her first shot hit the bottom of the post, but she was alert to the rebound, firing past Moloney and ensuring Chelsea of the WSL title.
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes to Sky Sports:
"What an unbelievable team I've got. I was being man-marked by the cameraman at full-time so I couldn't let loose with a few tears.
"It's not just about building a team, you know how much I care about the sport and the business - looking at that wall of 6,000 fans gave me so much joy.
"People say don't make major life decisions when you're knackered, and I am knackered. But I will enjoy these celebrations. I feel relieved as I take on the pressure for the club.
"How many people think about their next step when they're absolutely knackered? I'm going to go away, chill out, be a mum, do all those things. I've just shown you the art of avoiding a question!
"I'm upset too as she [Chambers] is heavily pregnant, she doesn't need that stress. I'm really proud of her as she's been in the business for 20 years. If I was a top club in this country, I'd be going after Kelly Chambers as she has so much knowledge.
"Sometimes she doesn't get the recognition for the work she has done, building a football club on the lowest budget possible. I'm sad for her. It takes so much out of you. I'm looking forward to letting my hair down.
"I was crying for Kelly. I was crying for Magda. I was crying as I've got to have weeks off. I do enjoy it and feel the emotion. Keeping my motivation high hasn't been difficult."
Chelsea goalscorer Sam Kerr on Sky Sports:
"I think they get better each year. They get harder definitely, so it makes it sweeter when it's tight at the top. It's my fourth but some people's first so we'll celebrate like it's our first.
"I've enjoyed it. It's always nice to welcome new players into the team and like I said, it's some people's first year so it's nice to do it again. It's been a joy to play with all the new players and hopefully we'll have some more coming in.
"People are never happy, right? If I'm scoring, they say it's not about the stats and if I'm not scoring, it's about the stats, so I'm just doing whatever. I keep lifting these trophies and I don't care what people say about me.
"We're the greatest team in England. It's not about me, it's about the team and I'm happy so what can I say.
"We've shown over the last few years that in the last few games of the season, we're a different team. Once you get knocked out of the Champions League, it's easier to be fresh and prepare for games.
"After we did get knocked out, as disappointed as we were, we had two days off then it was back to business and we had more time.
"There was a little bit of pressure [for the title], but last year was the same thing. We knew that we had to win every game and if we did, we took care of ourselves and we like it that way.
"We play better under pressure and the next step for us is to play like that in the Champions League. This is amazing, but it would've been great to have two more trophies.
"I don't think it's much [for the Champions League]. We went toe to toe for bits of the two legs, but we're not far off. And we had some big players missing - Millie Bright, Pernille wasn't fit and the league is getting tougher so it's hard."
Chelsea captain Magda Eriksson to Sky Sports:
"It's my favourite [title] win. They way we've done it this year - everyone has played their part and has been important. That's the way we do it at Chelsea. We lost our manager for a short time and we had to step up - that says a lot about this team. I'm really happy to be saying goodbye after such a great season.
"I've been living in denial as I didn't want to focus on it before the game. As soon as I got subbed off the emotions came. I feel overwhelmed.
"We take so much pride from the environment we create as a team. It's not just about winning, it's about being a family with players stepping up and developing. It's something I'm all for, the way we win is so important."
Reading manager Kelly Chambers to Sky Sports:
"It's a tough day. In terms of the season, the league doesn't lie. You need to be good enough across the season, but at the moment, a club like us can't compete with the investment that other clubs are putting in.
"But I'm very proud. We've been in the league for eight years and every year, we've had the lowest budget but we've managed to compete and find ways to make sure we stay in the league. It's a very hard day overall.
"The first conversation will be with the club to make sure what is next, where do they want to go and how they want to take the women's side forward.
"Then it's building a team for next year and step into the Championship ready to compete and try to bounce straight back up."
