With our destiny in our own hands, goals from Sam Kerr and Guro Reiten in the first half and another from Kerr in the second ensured we stayed ahead of Manchester United who have pushed Emma Hayes and her squad hard throughout 2022/23, and duly won their concluding match away at Liverpool.

With this title triumph, the Blues have the unique achievement of four Women’s Super League titles in a row, and three consecutive Doubles.

With the weather in Berkshire matching this glorious occasion for the Blues, we settled any nerves by scoring within the first 20 minutes. Kerr headed in after great Reiten play, having missed an earlier chance and with an Erin Cuthbert shot already saved onto the woodwork.

Reading could have levelled the scores before Reiten turned from provider to scorer just before the interval. From then on there was no way back for the relegated home side who failed to trouble the Blues as we played out the victory in the second half, capped off by the late second goal by Kerr.

The selection

Following on from the important win against Arsenal last weekend, it was perhaps no surprise that Emma Hayes chose this game to name an unchanged side for the first time in the campaign.

Kerr starts the party

Chelsea had the luxury of approaching this game not needing to think about what was happening as closest challengers Man United played on Merseyside. Our two-point lead in the table ahead of kick-off made sure of that. All WSL games on the final day were played simultaneously.

Our opponents Reading had much to play for too, knowing only a win would give them a chance of avoiding relegation.

Former Chelsea defender Deanna Cooper received a very early booking for pulling back Kerr as the Blues dominated the ball in the early stages. It was Lauren James with the first shot but it was not close.

With 13 minutes played, there was rare wastefulness in front of the target from Kerr who lifted her volley over from a cross from Eve Perisset, played in by Pernille Harder’s appreciation of angles.

Two minutes later after a wonderful move, Cuthbert did shoot on-target, only to be denied by a superb save from Grace Moloney who tipped the ball onto the bar.

However under this sort of pressure, Reading were surely going to crack. It happened in the 18th minute when two of our most potent players this season combined again – Reiten making her own space for her first cross of the game, perfect for Kerr to make it to the ball first to head home.

The home side wasted a very good heading chance to level but Justine Vanhaevermaet sent it over. They would not threaten again.

Seeking the second

James and Cuthbert went wide with speculative efforts and James had a header saved. The young England international was causing Reading problems in various ways.

Shortly before the interval the Blues had the cushion of a second goal when the Royals defence dithered and Reiten pounced, placing the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs.

Fond farewells

After a relatively uneventful but comfortable spell in the second half, Hayes made two changes with Pernille Harder one of the players replaced. That brought an end to her very successful Chelsea career.

Skipper Magda Eriksson was given the chance for her own ovation from the numerous Chelsea fans in the stadium when she came off with five minutes to go in what was also her final game, her silverware haul even greater.

Soon she was lifting another trophy, but not before Kerr added the late third goal, initially hitting the post after running through onto a long pass by Jelena Cankovic, but converting from the rebound.

Chelsea Berger; Perisset, Mjelde, Eriksson (c) (Carter 85), Charles; Ingle (Leupolz 85), Cuthbert (Fleming 85); James (Rytting Kaneryd 72), Harder (Cankovic 72), Reiten; Kerr

Unused subs Musovic, Abdullina, Buchanan, Svitkova

Scorers Kerr 18, 88 Reiten 42

Reading Moloney; Hendrix (Troelsgaard 79), Cooper, Evans, Mayi Kith, Vanhaevermaet, Moore (Primmer 79), Mukandi (c), Eikeland, Rose (Perry 33), Harries

Unused subs Poulter, Wellings, Wade, Caldwell, Alexander.

Booked Cooper 3