Chelsea Women: The Blue Ladies win their fourth consecutive Women's Super League title

Emma Hayes' Chelsea Women sealed the deal on Saturday, beating Manchester United to it on the final day, and it's their best one for several reasons.

It was a comfortable victory for the Blues and it was fitting that Sam Kerr and Guro Reiten delivered the goals after their performances this season played such a key role in Chelsea's success.

The two combined for the early opener as Reiten's cross was headed in by Kerr, before the Norwegian midfielder slotted past goalkeeper Grace Moloney to make it 2-0 before half-time.

Kerr confirmed victory in the closing stages when she raced through on goal and poked in the rebound after her initial shot was saved.

The Royals' eight-year stay in the top tier has come to an end but they have defied the odds for several seasons, competing with teams affiliated to Premier League clubs and on much larger budgets.

One more miracle was needed but they could not produce it, although fans stayed to applaud warmly after staff and players fell to their knees in disappointment at the full-time whistle.

Chelsea, meanwhile, show they have not loosened their grip on the WSL despite increasing competition from their rivals.

This title is perhaps their most impressive given they have had to fight off those challengers while dealing with injury setbacks and to manager Emma Hayes.

Their dominance on English women's football remains strong and a fourth league crown in a row is a significant achievement.

CHELSEA. CH𝟒MPIONS

🏆🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/MnkDoOSq9N

— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) May 27, 2023

"You don't see many dynasties in world sport," was the musing at the start of the journalist's question. Before it could continue, Hayes interrupted with almost an embarrassed giggle, almost reluctant to associate herself with such a huge thing.

"Sometimes managers are not given that opportunity, but also not all of them have the stamina to know how to do it," the journalist added, before asking: "Do you think this is what you're building now?"

Hayes pondered and let out a sigh. "That's a good question," she replied, before reflecting on the work that goes into building a winning team like Chelsea's. She talked about not seeing her son as much as she might like and how she's given everything to this club to win 14 trophies in the last eight years.

That number is now 15. Chelsea's successful defence of their Women's Super League title is their fourth league triumph in a row. It's a feat that's not been done since the greatest dynasty in English women's football, that of Arsenal's incredible women's team under Vic Akers – where Hayes was his assistant.

The Chelsea Women boss might've been tentative to describe the success she has enjoyed on the blue side of London in the same grand terms you might relate to that team - but make no mistake, the achievements of her and her Chelsea team are well and truly remarkable.

WE'RE CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND FOR THE FOURTH YEAR IN A ROW! pic.twitter.com/yQbCeXIdKa

— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) May 27, 2023

And this WSL title, which the Blues won on the final day of an enthralling 2022-23 season, is their most impressive to date.