Chelsea wrap up sixth Women's Super League title in a row after win vs Man Utd

Lucy Bronze's second-half header secured their sixth consecutive title, as they edged past Manchester United with a 1-0 victory.

The deadlock in the thrilling encounter at Leigh Sports Village was broken by the England right-back, who managed to direct a corner past the formidable Phallon Tullis-Joyce with just 16 minutes left on the clock.

Earlier in the day, Arsenal's loss to Aston Villa had paved the way for , marking their eighth in the last decade and the first

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However, securing the win proved challenging against a United side vying for Champions League qualification and still smarting from their recent European defeat to Barcelona.

Despite a draw potentially benefiting both teams, neither showed any inclination towards settling for a point.

Ultimately, it was down to seasoned player Bronze, who has previously clinched titles with Manchester City and Liverpool, to seal the deal for Chelsea, giving Bompastor's team an unassailable nine-point lead at the top with two matches remaining.

Chelsea initially struggled to impose themselves on the game but came close to scoring when Mayra Ramirez tested Tullis-Joyce from a narrow angle.

Chelsea's goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made a crucial save to deny Melvine Malard from putting United ahead, while Grace Clinton's subsequent rebound attempt was also thwarted.

Chelsea were dealt a setback when Ramirez had to be substituted due to injury, but they began to create more chances as Erin Cuthbert, Niamh Charles and Millie Bright all had shots at goal.

The away team had a close shave before half-time when a sloppy backpass from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, who replaced Ramirez, gave Malard a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper.

Goalkeeper Hampton came to their aid, first deflecting the ball away from Malard and then quickly getting up to tip over Clinton's subsequent shot.

United's penalty appeal was dismissed after Bright collided with Clinton, but they maintained their momentum into the second half, with both Malard and Celin Bizet forcing further saves from Hampton.

Tullis-Joyce was equally vigilant at the other end of the pitch, brilliantly parrying an Aggie Beever-Jones curler and blocking successive shots from Rytting Kaneryd and Cuthbert.

Just past the hour mark, United brought on Ella Toone and Elisabeth Terland, with the latter narrowly missing the target shortly after her introduction.

Despite the game's intensity, it took 74 minutes for the deadlock to be broken when Bronze headed Sandy Baltimore's corner kick past Tullis-Joyce.

Chelsea, unbeaten in the WSL all season, held onto their lead and were soon able to start celebrating.