'They always deliver' - Man City savour 'magical' title

Khadija Shaw (left, with Alex Greenwood) has scored 21 goals this season

For the first time in seven seasons, the ribbons on the Women's Super League trophy are a different shade of blue.

Manchester City are champions again, having ended Chelsea's six-year run as the dominant force at the top of the English pyramid.

A decade on from their first WSL title in 2016, they lifted the coveted trophy for a second time following a 4-1 win at West Ham United in their final league game of a triumphant campaign.

It was a victory lap after the title was confirmed in midweek when Arsenal drew at Brighton, and City's comprehensive win in London came as no surprise to manager Andree Jeglertz, in his debut WSL season after taking charge last July.

"I've stopped being impressed by this team because they always deliver," said the 54-year-old Swede, a four-time league title winner in his homeland with Umea.

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Manchester City lift their first Women's Super League title in 10 years

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, City players celebrate their title success after a 4-1 win at West Ham

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Swede Andree Jeglertz took charge of City last summer

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Lauren Hemp enjoys her first title success at City after joining in 2018

Image caption, Kerstin Casparij joined Manchester City on a three-year deal in 2022

"They are so focused on the task. I am not surprised but I am proud they were able to do that. There are a lot of things going on in this moment and still they put in a good performance."

Alongside pride, Jeglertz noted the "relief" as City finally got their hands on the trophy having led the table since November.

His side held off the challenge from Chelsea and European Champions Arsenal to end their league campaign with a four-point advantage over the second-placed Gunners.

With a chance to complete a Double in the Women's FA Cup final against Brighton on 31 May, City showed why they are deserved champions with a comfortable win at the 10th-placed Hammers.

There was nostalgia to go with dominance as midfielder Laura Coombs scored in her final league game before she retires from playing this summer after 19 years.

"It is pretty magical to be honest," said the midfielder, who has also won the FA Cup and League Cup since she joined the club from Liverpool in 2019.

"I've been here seven years. I think it has been building for a long time. I am going to soak it in.

"I really feel like that I have been part of something."

Coombs' name appears on the wall of the club's new £10m training facility and among a collection of players who have made more than 100 appearances for the club.

"They are really trying to create something for the future," added the former England international. "It is going to be incredible to watch the journey."

One player central to City's success this season is WSL Golden Boot winner Khadija Shaw, whose future at the club remains uncertain amid talk of a move to rivals Chelsea when her contract expires this summer.

Having taken her season's goal tally to 21 with a double against West Ham, the Jamaica striker, 29, refused to give a definitive answer on where she will play next season.

"Manchester is where I would want to be, but ultimately we will see," said Shaw, who also holds the record for the most WSL hat-tricks.

"I just want to enjoy today. It's my first one [title], there have been a lot of emotions.