Manchester City extended their lead at the top of the Women’s Super League to six points with a 4-0 win at Bristol City that relegated their hosts after only one season. Second-placed Chelsea can draw level at the summit by winning their two games in hand.
But City’s win ended Arsenal’s interest in the title race after the Gunners were held 1-1 by Everton earlier in the day.
Manchester City’s goal difference is seven better than Chelsea’s after Bristol City’s resilience at Ashton Gate was ended by four second-half goals. Mary Fowler broke the deadlock with a thunderbolt just after the hour mark and converted Lauren Hemp’s cross to add another after 75 minutes.
The hosts’ defender Amy Rogers then turned the ball into her own net before Alex Greenwood powered home a header deep in stoppage time to further improve the visitors’ goal difference. Bristol City’s defeat guarantees West Ham’s safety.
Arsenal’s hopes of challenging Chelsea and City for the Women’s Super League title took a major hit, as 16-year-old Issy Hobson earned Everton a draw deep in stoppage time, and were ended by Manchester City’s win.
Jonas Eidevall’s side had to win to keep alive their faint hopes of competing for the WSL crown, but this 2-2 draw leaves them five points off the leaders, City, having played a game more.
Alessia Russo’s 80th-minute strike looked to be enough for the Gunners, but they were caught out at a late corner as Hobson – an 81st minute substitute – rose highest above Emily Fox to nod home after a corner. It was Hobson’s first ever senior goal and was just rewards for the dogged hosts, who defended well for long periods and punished some profligate finishing from Arsenal.
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Crystal Palace boss Laura Kaminski already has one eye on next season after her side sealed a maiden promotion to the Women’s Super League in front of a record women’s first-team crowd at Selhurst Park.
England international and Eagles defender Marc Guéhi was one of the 6,796 who watched Palace play out a goalless draw with Sunderland before lifting a trophy they had all-but mathematically clinched last weekend.
There will no doubt be more celebrations to come, but Kaminski conceded it will not be long before she is back at Palace’s Beckenham HQ, plotting out summer business and a plan for how her Championship winners can stay competitive in their first top-flight season.
Kaminski, who only joined Palace in July from south London rivals and Championship runners-up Charlton, where she was an assistant, said: “I think this club is at the start of a fantastic journey.
“This is the step we needed to take, ready to gain momentum and progress forward. We want to give ourselves the best opportunity in the WSL, we’ve got fantastic backing from the club, and I feel like we’ve worked hard this year to get all the infrastructure in around the team.
“We’re more ready than ever to take this step forward.”
Beth Mead endured a quiet afternoon but had a hand in Russo’s volleyed opener. But both were powerless to stop Everton.
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Shannon Cooke’s late equaliser earned West Ham a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa before their Women’s Super League survival was confirmed.
The Hammers had the better of the chances in the first half, with Jess Ziu and Riko Ueki causing problems in particular, but Villa grew into the game after the break and took the lead when substitute Alisha Lehmann struck against her former club.
But Cooke struck with only seconds to go to salvage a point for the Hammers, and Bristol City’s defeat by Manchester City on Sunday evening means they are assured of another WSL campaign.
