MAN CITY WOMEN 2, NOTTS COUNTY LADIES 1
Manchester City Women defeated Notts County Ladies, but could not wrestle a first-ever Women’s Super League title from Chelsea who completed the coveted double having earlier won the FA Cup.
City needed to win on the last day of the season and for Chelsea to slip up against Sunderland to claim the title, but they had to settle for runner-up spot in front of a record 3,183 crowd.
And Chelsea, who lost the title to Liverpool 12 months ago after a defeat at City on a dramatic last day, made no mistake this time, though City still have the consolation of a Champions League spot.
City took the lead after 13 minutes through a shot from Nikita Parris that looped over keeper Carly Telford. It came from a right-wing cross by Natasha Harding.
County almost equalised moments later when Jess Clarke poked the ball past onrushing keeper Karen Bardley only for Lucy Bronze to clear off the line.
They drew level after 40 minutes when Rachel Williams headed home a Danielle Buet free kick.
City regained the lead on the stroke of half time when Harding provided another pinpoint cross and Isobel Christiansen found the net with a terrific shot high to the left of keeper Telford, her seventh goal of the season.
The second half failed to match the excitement of the opening period, though City would have extended their winning margin.
Jill Scott and Christiansen both had good chances, but neither could hit the target while Harding brought a fine fingertip save from Telford.
Christiansen was denied a second goal by the crossbar following a close-range header following a corner.