Manchester City were crowned Women’s Super League champions after title rivals Arsenal were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Brighton.
Arsenal were the only team still able to catch up with City and needed to win the game to send the title race to the final day of the season, but despite Frieda Mahnum’s equalizer canceling out Fuka Tsunoda’s opener, they were unable to force a second-half comeback.
The Gunners’ setback comes just days after they were eliminated by Lyon in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals, meaning they will end the season without a trophy.
Rene Sleggers’ 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 points behind second-placed Chelsea, with two games in hand.
They are now undefeated in 14 league games, tying the longest undefeated record.
WSL table
Arsenal got off to a slow start with Dame Kelly Holmes watching on as part of a packed crowd at Broadfield Stadium.
After Caitlin Ford and Alesso Russo squandered first-half chances, Brighton surprised the visiting team in the 43rd minute when Tsunoda beat Viktoria Perova to win the ball and score from a deflection past Daphne van Domselaar.
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Fuka Tsunoda scored on a loose ball to give Brighton the lead.
Perova went off at half-time and Arsenal returned with better intentions, Russo could only scrape wide and Ford tipped Chiamaka Nadozier.
Mahnum had a penalty appeal canceled shortly after, but the equalizer arrived with 62 minutes of play. Russo spun brilliantly to Marnham, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, but Sleggers still brought on three substitutes in Katie McCabe, Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenias.
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Frida Mahnum scored the equalizing goal.
The final roll of the dice was the introduction of Chloe Kelly with seven minutes remaining, but the former Manchester City winger was unable to produce the late magic to deny his old club.
This meant Arsenal had to settle for a 1-1 draw, ending their title challenge and ending Chelsea’s sixth successive league title, making it a special night for champions City.
Sleggers: “We wanted to keep the pressure on City until the final day”
Arsenal head coach Rene Sleggers told Sky Sports.
“It’s very disappointing for us. We wanted to keep the pressure on City until the last day of play in the WSL, but we didn’t succeed.
“Even though we didn’t get the three points today, I would like to congratulate Man City who have been very consistent in the league this year.
“Especially in the first half today, I think we lost the game in our half of the football. We had to work really hard and then hold the ball in every detail when we didn’t have the ball.”
“We were much better in the second half. We got back in the game and put pressure on, but it wasn’t enough today.”
“Arsenal have too many draws”
Nia Jones speaks on Sky Sports:
“If you look at the league as a whole, Arsenal have only lost one game so far, but I think what they haven’t done well, and what a lot of fans are frustrated about, is that they’ve drawn too many games.
“They have a lot of quality on the pitch and on the bench, but they have not been able to turn draws into wins when other teams like City and Chelsea may have been over the line.
“It’s a bit of a transition period for Lenny Sleggers and her team. We’ve heard rumors that some of our big stars could leave this summer, but they still have a lot to build on. It would be a shame to end the season without achieving anything.”
“I have to congratulate Man City, who have been the best team, the most consistent team and the most unpredictable team all season.”
