Manchester City were crowned Women’s Super League champions after title rivals Arsenal slumped to a disappointing 1-1 draw at Brighton.
Arsenal were the only side that could still catch City, needing to win their games in hand to send the title race to the final day of the season, but they couldn’t force a second-half turnaround despite Frida Maanum’s equaliser which cancelled out Fuka Tsunoda’s opener.
The Gunners will now finish the season trophyless, with this setback coming just days after being knocked out of the Women’s Champions League semi-finals by Lyon.
Renee Slegers’ side remain in a strong position to qualify for next season’s Champions League, sitting third in the WSL, two points above Manchester United and four behind second-placed Chelsea with two games in hand.
They are now 14 matches without defeat in the league, equalling their longest unbeaten record.
wsl table
Arsenal started slowly under the watchful eye of Dame Kelly Holmes, who was part of a bumper Broadfield Stadium crowd.
After Caitlin Foord and Alesso Russo squandered first-half chances, Brighton stunned the visitors in the 43rd-minute when Tsunoda beat Victoria Pelova to the ball and drilled beyond Daphne van Domselaar via a deflection.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Fuka Tsunoda got on the end of a loose ball to give Brighton the lead
Pelova was withdrawn at half-time and Arsenal returned with better intent with Russo only able to scuff wide before Foord forced Chiamaka Nnadozie to tip over.
Maanum had penalty appeals waved away soon after before the leveller arrived with 62 minutes played. Russo brilliantly spun away and played into Maanum, who composed herself and slotted into the bottom corner, but Slegers still produced a triple substitution Katie McCabe, Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius sent on.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Frida Maanum scored the equaliser
A final roll of the dice was the introduction of Chloe Kelly with seven minutes left, but the former Manchester City winger was unable to produce any late magic to deny her old side.
It meant Arsenal had to settle for a 1-1 draw which signalled the end of their title challenge and Chelsea’s run of six consecutive league championships on a special night for champions City.
Slegers: We wanted to keep pressure on City until the final day
Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers speaking to Sky Sports:
“Very disappointing for us. We wanted to keep the pressure on City until the last playing day in the WSL, but we weren’t successful.
“We didn’t get the three points today, so congratulations to Man City, who’ve been really good in the league this year, very consistent.
“Especially the first half today, I think we lost the game on a half of football. Out of possession, we had to work really hard and then have the detail in possession.
“The second half was much better. We came back into the game, we put some pressure on, but it wasn’t enough today.”
‘Arsenal have just drawn too many matches’
Nia Jones on Sky Sports:
“Looking at the league overall, Arsenal have only lost one game, but I think where they’ve been undone – and what a lot of their fans have been frustrated by – is that they’ve drawn too many matches.
“They’ve got quality in abundance on the pitch and on the bench as well, but they haven’t tuned those draws into wins when other teams like City and Chelsea maybe have got over the line.
“It’s a bit of a transition period for Renee Slegers and her team. We’ve heard some rumours of some big stars possibly leaving this summer, but they have still got plenty to build on. They will be disappointed to finish the season without any silverware.
“Congratulations must go to Man City who have been the best team all season long, the most consistent team, the most unpredictable team.”
