A magnificent brace from Sam Kerr helped Chelsea Women on their way to a 4-2 victory over Manchester United Women to clinch the 2021-22 Women's Super League title at Kingsmeadow.
Emma Hayes's side started the day one point clear of Arsenal Women, who needed to better the Blues' result against West Ham United to have a chance of pipping their capital counterparts to glory.
For a short while, Jonas Eidevall's side were at the summit as Man United started brightly against Chelsea, taking just 13 minutes to draw first blood as Martha Thomas headed home from Katie Zelem's corner.
The Red Devils' lead would last for all of five minutes as Erin Cuthbert reacted quickest to smash home into the bottom corner, but Leah Galton - who was seemingly in an offside position - soon crossed for Ella Toone to volley home and restore Man United's lead.
Marc Skinner's side went into the break 2-1 to the good, with Hayes responding by bringing on Bethany England and Ji So-Yun for her farewell appearance.
Within just a few moments of the second 45 beginning, the effervescent Kerr fired an unstoppable volley past Mary Earps, with Arsenal still struggling to break down the West Ham defence.
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Chelsea soon went ahead with 51 minutes on the clock as Guro Reiten tapped home from England's cross, and the Norwegian's strike was timely as Stina Blackstenius made the breakthrough for Arsenal against West Ham not long after.
A sombre mood soon overcame the Kingsmeadow crowd as Man United attacker Galton suffered a nasty-looking injury and was stricken on the turf with tears in her eyes before being withdrawn for Kirsty Hanson.
Arsenal found a second against West Ham through Steph Catley, but a Puskas-worthy strike from Kerr soon stunned the home crowd and players to put Chelsea 4-2 up.
The 28-year-old chested a loose ball down before an astonishing long-range volley past Earps, who was off her line and could not scramble back across in time before Kerr's looping effort nestled into the back of the net.
Late penalty appeals for Chelsea were turned down when Ji was brought down in the box, while Kerr did not get the chance to complete her hat-trick as she was withdrawn for departing club legend Drew Spence in the final moments.
Arsenal ultimately secured a 2-0 victory over West Ham, but it was not enough, as Chelsea claimed their fifth WSL title and third on the bounce.
Ben Knapton
