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Manchester City are WSL champions for the first time in 10 years, after Arsenal’s draw at Brighton. It is not the nicest way to win a league title, but City will not care. Their only previous league title was won in 2016 and they have had six runners-up finishes since, as well as second place in the shortened Spring Series as the competition moved from its previous summer scheduling.
Scheduling issues meant Arsenal had three games in hand over the league leaders going into Wednesday’s game in Crawley. However, they needed to win all of those to keep the title race alive, with City on 52 points with one game remaining and Arsenal’s maximum total points tally 53 points. Fuka Tsunoda put the Seagulls in front just before half-time, with Frida Maanum’s equaliser not enough.
City have been a rejuvenated force under manager Andrée Jeglertz, who arrived last summer, but the changes have been deeper, with the club investing in the leadership team responsible for the women’s side and they are on the verge of opening their new £10m facility for the team.
The champions have been formidable in front of goal this season, with Khadija Shaw, Vivianne Miedema and Kerolin in the top six WSL goalscorers, Shaw leading the way with 19 goals and four assists in 21 games.
Having finished fourth in the league last season, City missed out on Champions League football, allowing them to focus on the league and domestic cup competitions. They were knocked out of the League Cup by the eventual champions Chelsea at the semi-final stage and they meet the London side again on Sunday at the same stage of the FA Cup with a league and cup Double still possible.
“Helping guide this team to the WSL title is something I will never forget,” said Jeglertz. “The girls have met every challenge in front of them head on and have been an absolute joy to coach this season. In the good moments and the bad, they’ve always stuck together and found a way to win – something that all great champions do.
“This wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible effort, belief, passion and dedication of my colleagues, the players and the fans. They’ve all been a credit to the club as well as themselves and deserve to celebrate this amazing moment.”
This story will be updated
