Women’s Super League: Chelsea crowned champions as Liverpool get relegated

Chelsea FC Women were crowned champions of the FA Women’s Super League on a points-per-game ratio, while Liverpool suffer the consequences and are relegated.

The early conclusion arose after the FA reached a “majority decision” to decide the outcome.

At the suspension point of the season, Chelsea were sat one point behind Manchester City with an additional game to be played.

Liverpool were sat at the foot of the table with just one point separating them and Birmingham City, but the West Midlands based side had played one game less; the reds, who have won the league on two occasions in the past, are now the highest profile team to be relegated.

Aston Villa will take the place of Vicky Jepson’s side in the Super League next season who were top of the Championship at the time of the season’s suspension.

Chelsea FC women crowned champions

Chelsea’s run of form this season has been second to none, remaining unbeaten throughout the entire WSL campaign.

The Blues have been crowned 2019/20 Women’s Super League winners! ? #ChelseaChampions pic.twitter.com/JLHqLtwlQM

— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) June 5, 2020

In amongst their sublime league performances, they carried that over to the domestic cup competitions and lifted the Continental Cup, after they defeated last season’s WSL champions Arsenal in the final at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground.

The top three sides in Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City were too strong for the rest of the teams which resulted in none of them being defeated.

Ultimately, it came down to the head-to-head clashes of the league’s finest to decide the title in which Chelsea reigned supreme, conquering Arsenal twice and picking up four points against City.

Liverpool’s reaction

Liverpool struggled severely this season to find their form and only netted eight times in 14 WSL matches.

This is a massive drop off from last season’s goal scoring record averaging more than a goal per game, which saw them claim eighth placed in the top-flight.

As one of England’s most successful women’s football sides, understandably they are saddened with the outcome of the season, with safety in touching distance.

In a club statement Liverpool said: “The focus of our women’s team and staff since the beginning of the crisis was to be ready to return to WSL play when it was safe and proper to do so.

“We believe we would have been able to meet all operational requirements but a return to play was deemed impractical.

“As proud founder members of the WSL, our fans greatly value our position within the league and we hoped for the opportunity to secure our status on the pitch.”

The Merseyside reds concluded their statement with a sense of optimism for the future, on the back of 23,500 fans turning up to watch the derby between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield.

“We enjoyed several notable firsts as a women’s team this season – including a first WSL game at Anfield – and we are committed to continuing to grow the women’s game in this country with our fellow teams”, they added.

“We wish all the WSL teams well and look forward to seeing them again soon.”

FA Statement

The director of women’s football at the FA, Kelly Simmons explained: “The FA Board was tasked with identifying the most suitable conclusion of the 2019-20 season, based on sporting merit, and they reached a majority decision on agreeing a basic points-per-game [PPG] basis, which did not take into account home and away form.

The decision by the FA to decide the outcome of the season on a points-per-game basis was vital in deciding who would lift the trophy, but had little impact elsewhere in the league.

The only change in the standings was Everton leapfrogging Tottenham Hotspur to claim sixth place.

As the top two Emma Hayes’ Chelsea and Gareth Taylor’s Manchester City will represent England in next season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Women’s Super League final standings | Courtesy of FA WSL

We hope you enjoyed the article ‘Chelsea FC Women Crowned Champions As Liverpool Get Relegated.’ What are your thoughts on Chelsea being crowned champions and Liverpool being relegated, as well as the premature end to the season for the WSL? Let us know!

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