ROYALS THUMPED BY CHAMPIONS (WE WON’T MENTION THE SCORE)

FORMER Royal Fran Kirby once again came back to haunt Reading as Chelsea Women captured the Women’s Super League title in style.

On the final day of the 2020/21 season, the Blues fired past Kelly Chambers’ side who finished an underwhelming campaign in seventh.

Emma Hayes’ team showed no signs of nerves, needing a win over the Royals to retain the WSL title and they got on the scoresheet within two minutes.

They worked a clever corner routine as Melanie Leupolz met Jess Carter’s cross and fired a shot past Grace Moloney to give the hosts a dream start.

After a poor start, Reading recovered to keep their opponents at bay for much of the half until Kirby struck her fifth goal against her former side this season just before the break.

Sam Kerr squared the ball back to the penalty spot for her strike partner and Kirby arrowed a perfect shot into the top corner to double the advantage.

Reading had chances in the second-half as Fara Williams almost marked her final appearance before retirement with a goal as she looked to catch out Ann-Katrin Berger and squeeze the ball in at the near post but the keeper got down to keep it out.

Kirby punished Reading again with a sensational effort as she took control on the edge of the box and lashed another shot that soared into

Moloney’s top corner with her 16th league goal of the season.

Danielle Carter came close to claiming a consolation goal as she profited from the smart work of Brooke Chaplen to back heel the ball in the box, but the Royals forward missed the top corner by a few inches.

Kirby unlocked the Reading backline again to set up Kerr who stroked the ball in on the volley to continue the home team’s dominance.

Erin Cuthbert rounded off the scoring as she pounced from close range and bundled the ball over the line despite Moloney’s best efforts to prevent another as Reading fell to a heavy final day defeat.