READING FC’s relegation from the Women’s Super League was confirmed after they were beaten at home by Chelsea who sealed a fourth consecutive league title.
The Royals needed victory to give them hope of survival but soundly beaten on the final day as Emma Hayes’ team secured top spot.
The result means Reading finish bottom of the table on just 11 points as both senior teams at the club have suffered relegation this season.
The game at the Select Car Leasing Stadium had plenty riding on it with jeopardy at both ends of the table.
The Royals needed a win to have a shot at survival, while a Chelsea win would guarantee them a fourth consecutive title.
Deanne Rose returned to the starting lineup for the first time since the opening day of the season, while top scorer Sanne Troelsgaard was dropped to the bench.
Former Blues defender Deanna Cooper picked up the first caution of the match just three minutes in when she was penalised for tugging the shirt of Sam Kerr.
Reading looked to use the pace of Rose on the break, an asset they have greatly missed all season but she was thwarted as she was tightly marked by the Chelsea backline.
Kerr should have added to her season’s tally but somehow conspired to volley over the top from close range with the goal gaping.
The visitors then came a whisker away from taking the lead when Erin Cuthbert struck the bar before Magdalena Eriksson put the rebound over.
The chances kept coming for Hayes’ side and this time they capitalised when Kerr got on the end of Guro Reiten’s cross and powered a header past Grace Moloney to make it 1-0 after 18 minutes.
Reading’s best half of the chance came a few minutes later when Justine Vanhaevermaet latched onto a cross from Emma Mukandi and headed over the target from inside the six yard box.
Rose’s afternoon lasted a little over 30 minutes before she had to be replaced, presumably with an injury after such a lengthy lay off. Madison Perry took her place as Troelsgaard was left on the bench.
The Blues asserted their dominance and found a second goal before the break after a fatal error from Esther Mayi Kith.
The Royals defender seemingly had the situation under control but took a heavy touch which played in Reiten who slotted the ball through Moloney’s legs to find the net and to put her side closer to clinching the title.
Chambers made another change with half an hour to play which saw Charlie Wellings take the place of Emma Harries.
Chelsea continued to enjoy the majority of possession but weren’t able to add to the scoreline as Amalie Eikeland got in the way of a Kerr volley from a corner.
A double switch with15 minutes to go saw Tia Primmer and Sanne Troelsgaard replace Jade Moore and Brooke Hendrix.
With just two minutes left, the Blues added a third to flex their superiority when Kerr’s initial shot hit the post but she responded quickly to convert the rebound.
The full-time whistle sounded which confirmed Reading’s relegation to the Championship, while Chelsea won the title.
Reading: Moloney, Mukandi, Cooper, Hendrix, Mayi Kith, Evans, Vanhaevermaet, Eikeland, Moore, Harries, Rose
Subs: Poulter, Wellings, Wade, Caldwell, Alexander, Perry, Primmer, Troelsgaard
Chelsea: Berger, Ingle, James, Reiten, Perisset, Eriksson, Mjelde, Charles, Cuthbert, Harder, Kerr
Subs: Musovic, Carter, Leupolz, Svitkova, Fleming, Kaneryd, Buchanan, Aboullina, Cankovic
Goals: Kerr 18’, 88’, Reiten 42’
