Kerr scores twice as Chelsea is named WSL champion, and Reading is demoted.
Sam Kerr scored twice as Chelsea defeated Reading 3-0 on Saturday to win the FA Women's Super League for the fourth time in a row, completing a league and FA Cup double on the final day of the regular season and sending their opponents to the Championship Division.
The Blues finished with 58 points after 22 games, which was two more than second-place Manchester United, who defeated Liverpool 1-0, and eleven more than third-place Arsenal, who earned the final Champions League ticket.
Manchester United traveled to Prenton Park to play Liverpool in the hopes that Reading would do them a favor. However, as word of Chelsea's first-half goals spread, the traveling fans grew mute. A win was necessary for Manchester United to have any chance of capturing their first WSL title.
The game's lone goal was scored by United's substitute Lucia Garcia in the 72nd minute. Though they had a tremendous season and topped the standings for more than 100 days, they ultimately fell short and will have to be content with their first qualification for Europe.
With 22 goals overall, Rachel Daly of Aston Villa finished the season as the league's leading scorer. She scored the opening goal against Arsenal in Villa's 2-0 season-ending victory.
After having a difficult season overall, Leicester City finished strong by defeating Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 to finish in 10th place, one goal ahead of the Seagulls.
While Tottenham Hotspur drew 2-2 away at West Ham United, Manchester City ended their poor season with a 3-2 victory over Everton despite missing out on the European playoffs. Bethany England scored once more for Tottenham Hotspur.
