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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jack Lacey-Hatton

5 WSL talking points as Man Utd and Chelsea derby wins send title race to final day

The WSL title race will be decided on the final day after Man Utd scored a dramatic late winner to beat Man City in the derby.

Just when it looked like the chase was over, Lucia Garcia scored an injury-time goal to keep United's hopes alive and take the battle to the wire. They had to win after Chelsea earlier beat Arsenal 2-0 to temporarily move five points clear. The Blues still have their title fate in their own hands and know a win in their final game against Reading next week will see them retain their crown.

The fight to avoid relegation will also go to the final fixtures next Saturday after Leicester were beaten 2-1 at home by West Ham.

They and Reading are still in danger, after the Royals were beaten 4-1 by Tottenham on Saturday, a result that confirmed Spurs' safety. This means Reading will need to beat Chelsea next week to have any chance of leapfrogging Leicester.

Here's what went down on a big weekend.

1. United grab dramatic winner

Chelsea were only seconds away from a fourth straight WSL title as the Manchester derby was locked at 1-1 heading towards injury time. But substitute Lucia Garcia had other ideas.

Garcia popped up in the box after good work from Vilde Boe Risa to save the day and send Leigh Sports Village wild. United had led early on after a stunning strike from Hayley Ladd.

Lucia Garcia of Manchester United scored a late winner (Getty Images)

And when Ellie Roebuck saw red for a rash challenge on Nikita Parris, it looked as if United would have a smooth path to first WSL derby victory. But Filippa Angeldahl’s cross flew straight over Mary Earps to put City level and put Chelsea on the brink of being crowned champions.

Along came Garcia who whipped off her shirt after squeezing the ball home to ensure United have, at the very least, taken the race to the wire.

2. Chelsea in driving seat as Arsenal's hopes ended

Chelsea ensured they would be in pole position for the final day race with a 2-0 win over London rivals Arsenal. The opener came when one of Chelsea's players of the season, Guro Reiten, slid home at the back post to beat Manuela Zinsberger after an excellent cross from Eve Perisset.

Captain Magda Eriksson then sealed her dream finale from Kingsmeadow by arriving late in the box to put Chelsea two to the good before half-time. Eriksson will leave along with partner Pernille Harder in the summer, with Harder receiving a standing ovation when she was later substituted.

Guro Reiten put Chelsea in front with an excellent finish (Getty Images)

United's win means Emma Hayes' team still have work to do against Reading, but they are tantalisingly close to a fourth straight league title.

3. Tottenham safe after huge win over Reading

Reading's survival in the WSL is hanging by a thread after Tottenham thrashed them 4-1 on Saturday. The result, part of the first Premier League-WSL double header, ensured Spurs' own top flight status.

Beth England was once again the key player for the North Londoners, scoring twice including a wonderful header from a Molly Bartrip chip. Celin Bizet and Kit Graham also scored as the hosts avenged their defeat in the reverse fixture that dragged them into the relegation scrap.

Reading were lively going forward but leaked chances at the back. They will have to improve hugely to shock title-chasing Chelsea next week, otherwise it will be life in the Championship for them.

Bethany England has made a huge difference to Spurs since arriving in January (Getty Images)

4. Leicester miss chance to secure survival early

West Ham secured their first win of 2023 to stun Leicester at the King Power Stadium. The Foxes could have secured their safety with a win but went down to goals from Sophie Howard and a Dagny Brynjarsdottir penalty.

Hannah Cain did score a late penalty to give the hosts hope. But they didn't have time to find an equaliser and Paul Konchesky's side celebrated a win to lift them up to eighth in the table.

Willie Kirk has still done a superb job at Leicester - remember they were pointless at the turn of the year. And they should still be fine, assuming Reading don't perform a miracle against Chelsea. But this was still a missed opportunity.

5. Villa and Liverpool play out six-goal thriller

Villa Park saw the most goals on Sunday, with Aston Villa and Liverpool sharing the points in a thrilling 3-3 draw. The hosts, who have alternated between their men's ground and the Bescot Stadium this season, took the lead through Kirsty Hanson.

But Liverpool have had a knack of upsetting the top five this season, beating Chelsea on the opening day and stunning Man City last time out and were far from done here. The Reds turned the contest on its head through Katie Stengel and Natasha Dowie.

But Rachel Daly, in her quest for the Golden Boot, levelled for Villa, although Stengel hit a second to put the visitors back in front. But Man Utd loanee Hanson hit a long-range effort that stunned Faye Kirby, to ensure Villa claimed a point, in turn guaranteeing a top five finish this season.

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