Lucy Bronze headed a second-half winner as Chelsea clinched their sixth successive Women’s Super League title with a 1-0 victory at Manchester United.
The England right-back finally broke the deadlock in a pulsating contest at Leigh Sports Village when she glanced a corner past the impressive Phallon Tullis-Joyce 16 minutes from time.
Arsenal’s defeat by Aston Villa earlier on Wednesday had opened the door for the Blues to wrap up yet another league success, their eighth in 10 seasons and a first under new manager Sonia Bompastor.
Yet with third-placed United needing points to secure Champions League qualification, it proved a tough task for a side still reeling from their European humiliation at the hands of Barcelona last weekend.
YOUR @BARCLAYSWSL CHAMPIONS FOR 24/25: CHELSEA!! pic.twitter.com/gVaDBiNj15
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) April 30, 2025
Despite a draw actually suiting both sides, neither showed any intention of playing for one.
In the end it fell to veteran Bronze, a previous title-winner with Manchester City and Liverpool, to finish the job, handing Bompastor’s side an unassailable nine-point lead at the top with two games to play.
Chelsea had been slow to assert themselves but first went close when Mayra Ramirez tested Tullis-Joyce from a tight angle.
Blues keeper Hannah Hampton produced a good save to prevent Melvine Malard giving United the lead and Grace Clinton’s effort on the rebound was also blocked.
AIR LUCY ✈️
The @ChelseaFCW defender rises high to head the ball into the net 🔥#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/r7e9QEhL6H
— Barclays Women''s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) April 30, 2025
Chelsea suffered a blow when Ramirez was forced off injured but they started to create more as Erin Cuthbert, Niamh Charles and Millie Bright all had opportunities.
The visitors had a major let-off before the break after a poor backpass from Ramirez’s replacement Johanna Rytting Kaneryd allowed Malard through one-on-one with the keeper.
Hampton came to their rescue, first pushing the ball away from Malard and then getting up quickly to tip Clinton’s follow-up attempt over.
United appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty after Bright clashed with Clinton but carried their momentum into the second half, with Malard and Celin Bizet bringing further saves from Hampton.
Tullis-Joyce was also alert as play switched to the other end, reacting brilliantly to palm away an Aggie Beever-Jones curler and then block from Rytting Kaneryd and Cuthbert in quick succession.
United introduced Ella Toone and Elisabeth Terland just after the hour and the latter flashed a shot narrowly over within moments of coming on.
It seemed remarkable the game had not produced a goal but that changed after 74 minutes as Bronze rose highest at a corner to nod Sandy Baltimore’s cross past Tullis-Joyce.
It was a lead Chelsea, who have not lost in the WSL all season, did not look like relinquishing and the celebrations could soon begin.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. PORTUGAL WIN THE UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE ON PENALTIES Nuno Mendes 😎 Anti Right Winger Morata : Me again? Congratulations Portugal & Ronaldo Kepa in Arsenal be like I am sorry. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: BleacherReportFootball, Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball)...
PSG get talks underway with Bournemouth for ZabarnyiFabrizio Romano reports that PSG are determined to sign Ilya Zabarnyi this summer. While talks are underway with Bournemouth, the two clubs have not yet reached an agreement. The player remains keen to join Les Parisiens.Everton join Newcastle in race to sign GrealishEverton are interesting in acquiring the services of Manchester City outcast Jac...
WHAT HAPPENED?Napoli striker Osimhen has reportedly made up his mind on his future, and it seems like it won't include a sensational move to the Middle East. This comes from a scoop from journalist Buchi Laba, who reports that Osimhen has rejected a fifth offer from Saudi side Al-Hilal and would rather continue his career in Europe.THE BIGGER PICTURELaba claims that Osimhen is not interested in a ...
France captain Kylian Mbappe says he is satisfied with his side bouncing back from their Nations League loss to Spain in the third-placed play-off.Les Bleus finished the campaign with a win over Germany, thanks to goals from the Real Madrid star and Michael Olise.And while there was a lot to like about the French performance in Stuttgart, Mbappe took a balanced approach to things in his post-match...
WHAT HAPPENED?The German club have asked to be kept up to date on Sancho's situation, with the Man Utd outcast being touted as a possible replacement for Chelsea target Jamie Gittens, as per Sky Sports. Sancho has already re-joined the club from Manchester United once - a six-month loan spell at the end of last season - and could yet return for a third spell with the German giants. Chelsea paid a ...
Jobe Bellingham of Sunderland celebrates getting promoted back to the Premier LeagueEngland U21 midfielder Jobe Bellingham has agreed terms to leave Sunderland for Borussia Dortmund in a deal reported at around 331 million including add-ons.The Bedlington-born starlet joins the German club on a five-year contract following Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League.Dortmund has reportedly agreed...
Brian Priske has chosen to return to Sparta PragueBrian Priske has returned to Sparta Prague to take up the position as head coach, say the Czech club on their website."We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new head coach. We welcome Brian, who knows the environment in the club. We strongly believe that he will build on the successful work he has delivered in the past and help Sparta w...
Borussia Dortmund keen on signing Jadon SanchoBorussia Dortmund are weighing up a fresh move for Jadon Sancho amid uncertainty over his future at Manchester United.The Bundesliga side have requested to be kept informed about the Englishman’s status at Old Trafford, with the out-of-favour winger seen as a potential replacement for Chelsea-linked Jamie Gittens, according to Sky Sports.Sancho i...
Gravenberch names his 2025 Ballon d'Or favouriteRyan Gravenberch shared his 2025 Ballon d'Or choice, backing his Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah to win the prestigious award.The Egypt international was the frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d'Or during the first half of the season, topping both the goals and assists charts in the Premier League.0"That's a tough one, but I'll go for my teammate: Moha...
Uriah RennieUriah Rennie, the first black man to referee in the Premier League, has died at the age of 65.WHAT HAPPENED?In August 1997, Rennie was named as the referee for a Premier League game between Derby County and AFC Wimbledon and made history as the division's first ever black referee. He went on to officiate over 300 top-flight games across 11 years, as well as refereeing domestic cup fina...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Marcus Rashford 'grows close' to stunning semi-pro padel player
- 3 Why Premier League transfer may be off the cards for Victor Osimhen as Man Utd make 'timid' attempts to convince striker
- 4 Chukwueze reveals cause of AC Milan’s ‘disastrous’ season
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 FIFA confirms 34 team base camp training sites in the United States for 2025 Club World Cup, including nine in Florida and five in Calitornia
- 7 Man Utd continue to be linked with Emi Martinez
- 8 Daily Laugh - Morata : Me again?
- 9 Daily Laugh - Mbeumo and his amazing talent
- 10 Liverpool's dream transfer window with six signings including £100m striker