Friday, March 29

WSL season finale: Chelsea and Arsenal go for the title on final day – live! | Women’s Super League


Preamble

Look, it was always going to be like this. From the first weekend of the WSL season, when Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-2, it felt like they were both going to go the distance. We thought Manchester City might join them, but their false start made it a two-horse race. And what an unyielding race it has been, both a marathon and to spring. Between them Chelsea and Arsenal have dropped only 21 points in 42 games – and seven of those points were in games against one another.

It all comes down to today’s games, and the permutations are so straightforward that even a dunce like me know’s what’s what. If Chelsea win, they’ll be champions. If not, and Arsenal better their result, Arsenal will be champions. To make it even more exciting for the neutral, both teams have awkward games which come with no guarantees. Chelsea are at home to Manchester United, who still have an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League, while Arsenal are away to sixth-placed West Ham. Both teams should win, but should has never been worth much in association football.

By 2pm, either Arsenal or Chelsea will be champions. And by heck they’ll have earned it.

kick-off 12pm.

The WSL trophy is online in a (hopefully) dramatic final day. Photograph: Naomi Baker/The FA/Getty Images

Pre-match reading

I’m going to pop and grab a coffee, so I’ll leave you with Suzanne Wrack and Louise Taylor’s preview of the final day of the season. The piece includes a typically interesting interview with Emma Hayes. I know she irritates some fans of Chelsea’s rivals de ella loves her but, jeez, for the media, and us neutrals, she is a godsend.

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Catch up with the Footballer of the Year

"Emma knows exactly what I need to perform" 🌟

Karen Carney caught up with Sam Kerr ahead of the WSL final day 🔵 pic.twitter.com/4LlsaQOZ0l

— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) May 8, 2022

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“Emma knows exactly what I need to perform” 🌟

Karen Carney caught up with Sam Kerr ahead of the WSL final day 🔵 pic.twitter.com/4LlsaQOZ0l

— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) May 8, 2022

Chelsea are aiming for their third consecutive title, and their fifth in six years. Yep, they’ve been here before.

West Ham v Arsenal team news

One change for Arsenal from the 3-0 win over Spurs on Wednesday: Katie McCabe replaces Stina Blackstenius.

📋 Here’s how we line-up against Arsenal today.

COME ON YOU IRONS! ⚒️#WHUARS pic.twitter.com/lK5N2jshau

— West Ham United Women (@westhamwomen) May 8, 2022

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💛 YOUR ARSENAL XI 💛

Come on you Gunners! ✊ pic.twitter.com/UdB5fUj6QX

— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 8, 2022

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Chelsea v Manchester United team news

No surprises in the Chelsea side. Beth England is replaced by Erin Cuthbert, who made such a difference from the bench at Birmingham last weekend, and Jonna Andersson replaces Jessie Fleming.

Your Chelsea team today! 🤝#CFCW pic.twitter.com/ShjNP163cn

— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) May 8, 2022

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🚨 Our last line-up of 2021/22 📋

Let’s leave it all out there, Reds! ✊🔴#MUWomen | #FAWSL pic.twitter.com/dGv1QHkkog

— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) May 8, 2022

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Preamble

Look, it was always going to be like this. From the first weekend of the WSL season, when Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-2, it felt like they were both going to go the distance. We thought Manchester City might join them, but their false start made it a two-horse race. And what an unyielding race it has been, both a marathon and to spring. Between them Chelsea and Arsenal have dropped only 21 points in 42 games – and seven of those points were in games against one another.

It all comes down to today’s games, and the permutations are so straightforward that even a dunce like me know’s what’s what. If Chelsea win, they’ll be champions. If not, and Arsenal better their result, Arsenal will be champions. To make it even more exciting for the neutral, both teams have awkward games which come with no guarantees. Chelsea are at home to Manchester United, who still have an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League, while Arsenal are away to sixth-placed West Ham. Both teams should win, but should has never been worth much in association football.

By 2pm, either Arsenal or Chelsea will be champions. And by heck they’ll have earned it.

kick-off 12pm.

WSL Trophy
The WSL trophy is online in a (hopefully) dramatic final day. Photograph: Naomi Baker/The FA/Getty Images




www.theguardian.com

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