
Soccer-Champions Chelsea complete unbeaten WSL league season, Arsenal finish second
LONDON, - Chelsea completed an unbeaten season in the Women's Super League with a 1-0 home win over Liverpool on Saturday and Arsenal held on for a 4-3 victory over Manchester United to finish second in the standings.
Chelsea, who sealed their sixth consecutive WSL title last month, were unable to break down Liverpool's defence at Stamford Bridge until the 91st minute when Ashley Lawrence played in Aggie Beever-Jones and the England international produced an excellent right-foot shot from a tight angle.
Chelsea, record eight-times champions, finished with 19 wins and three draws to earn 60 points - the highest total in a WSL season.
They also become the first team to go unbeaten in a 22-match WSL campaign, though Arsenal , Manchester City and Chelsea have achieved the feat in previous seasons with fewer games.
At the Emirates Stadium, Chloe Kelly scored in the second minute to give Arsenal an early lead but United's Ella Toone levelled in the 13th minute, before strikes from Mariona Caldentey, Frida Maanum and Kim Little put the hosts in the driving seat.
Renee Slegers' team endured a nerve-wracking finish to the match as Elisabeth Terland and Maya Le Tissier scored but United could not complete the comeback.
Arsenal, who face Barcelona in the Women's Champions League final this month, ended the season with 48 points, four ahead of third-placed United.
Bottom club Crystal Palace, relegated from the WSL last month and set to be replaced by the London City Lionesses, were beaten 5-2 by fourth-placed Manchester City.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Santi Cazorla, still playing at 40 on minimum wage after 11 surgeries to fix Achilles injury, leads boyhood club Real Oviedo back to La Liga
There was a whiff of romance in the air as Real Oviedo secured their spot in next season's La Liga thanks to Spanish football great Santi Cazorla. Cazorla scored one of Real Oviedo's three goals against Mirandes in a 3-1 extra-time victory in the second leg of the promotion playoffs for La Liga after the team had lost the first leg 1-0. Real Oviedo will be back in La Liga after 24 years, a phase which has seen them experience many lows. Cazorla had also scored a free-kick with his weaker foot in the semi-final victory over Almeria on June 11. 'At 40 years old I think this is the greatest thing I've ever experienced,' Cazorla said. 'I've been lucky enough to experience great things with Spain and with the clubs that I've been with, winning many trophies, but nothing compares to this.' Cazorla, who has won two European championships with Spain, is now 40 years of age and is playing on minimum wage allowed under La Liga rules (€90,000 a year) — after turning down a eyewatering pay cheque — at the club whose academy ranks created him. 'Thankfully, I've had a successful career, so the last thing I wanted was to be a weight on my club,' Cazorla was quoted as saying by The Athletic. 'I'm delighted with these conditions — I'd play for free, but the regulations must be respected. Returning here to Oviedo, where I dreamed of playing as a kid, was in my mind for a long time. Now I'm back, trying to help where I can.' Cazorla's presence on the pitch is miraculous in itself: the former Arsenal playmaker had suffered an Achilles injury in October 2016 which needed him to undergo 11 operations to finally fix the problem. At one stage, one botched procedure led to gangrene and doctors had informed Cazorla that he should forget playing football and should be happy to just be able to walk again. He was away from the sport for 636 days in the middle. Cazorla played for Real Oviedo's youth academy. But before he could play for its first team, he had to leave in 2003 because of the club's financial troubles. He played clubs like Villarreal, Malaga, Arsenal, Al-Sadd in Qatar, before making an emotional comeback to Oviedo in 2023. Real Oviedo had been in the second division since 2015-16, and spent a few seasons in the third tier before that. The club faced dire financial crisis in 2012. That's when a fundraising campaign raised the €2million to save it. Cazorla and former Oviedo youth team player Juan Mata were among those to contribute. (With inputs from AP)


India Today
11 hours ago
- India Today
Jon Jones issues statement after UFC retirement, breaks silence on legal trouble claims
Jon Jones has issued a lengthy statement following his retirement from UFC on Saturday, June 21. UFC CEO Dana White revealed that Jones had called them to say that he has chosen to retire and Tom Aspinall would be the new UFC Heavyweight champion. 'Bones' made his debut in 2008 at the age of 21 and became the youngest champion in the history of the organisation by winning the Light Heavyweight strap by beating Shogun Rua. Jones had one of the most dominant title reigns in MMA history and went on to claim the UFC Heavyweight title by beating Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. His final bout with the UFC came up against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November 2024. advertisementTaking to X, Jones said that the decision came after a lot of reflection and thanked the UFC, Dana White, family, team and his fans. The former Heavyweight champion said that he is looking forward to new opportunities and challenges and claimed that the best is yet to come. "Today, I'm officially announcing my retirement from the UFC. This decision comes after a lot of reflection, and I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the journey I've experienced over the years.""From the first time I stepped into the Octagon, my goal was to push the boundaries of what was possible in this sport. Becoming the youngest UFC champion in history, defending my title against some of the best fighters in the world, and sharing unforgettable moments with fans across the globe—these are memories I'll cherish forever. I've faced incredible highs and some tough lows, but every challenge has taught me something valuable and made me stronger, both as a fighter and as a person."advertisement"I want to thank the UFC, Dana, Hunter, Lorenzo, God, my family, coaches, teammates, and all the fans who have stood by me through every chapter. Your unwavering support and belief in me have been my foundation. To my fellow fighters, thank you for bringing out the best in me and for the respect we've shared inside and outside the cage.""As I close this chapter of my life, I look forward to new opportunities and challenges ahead. MMA will always be a part of who I am, and I'm excited to see how I can continue to contribute to the sport and inspire others in new ways. Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey with me. The best is yet to come," read the statement from Jones. 'Don't believe everything you read online'There were reports that emerged on Saturday right after the retirement announcement that Jones was being charged for misdemeanor for fleeing an accident scene. Jones addressed the claims with a cryptic tweet, saying that the media can get things wrong at times and don't believe everything you read online. advertisement"Keep in mind, even the media can get it wrong sometimes if they don't have all the facts. Don't believe everything you read online," said Jones. Jones ended his career with a record of 28 wins, 1 loss and 1 no-contest.


India Today
13 hours ago
- India Today
Jon Jones, UFC legend, retires before highly anticipated fight against Tom Aspinall
Jon Jones, a legend in mixed martial arts, has retired and interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has been elevated to the undisputed title holder, UFC president and CEO Dana White said Saturday."Jon Jones called us last night and retired," White said during a press conference in Azerbaijan, where UFC Fight Night was held. "Jon Jones is officially retired. Tom Aspinall is the heavyweight champion of the UFC."?? TOM ASPINALL IS THE OFFICIAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP@DanaWhite has announced that Jon Jones has RETIRED, thus elevating @AspinallMMA to become the heavyweight champ ?? UFC (@ufc) June 21, 2025advertisementJones, who turns 38 on July 19, has compiled a 28-1 record (11 TKOs) in capturing UFC titles at light heavyweight and heavyweight. He was in line for a highly anticipated unification bout with Aspinall, 32, who became the UFC's interim heavyweight champion in November 2023 when an injured Jones couldn't fight. Englishman Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 11 TKOs, 1 K0, 8-1 UFC) posted a message on Instagram after White's announcement."For you fans. It's time to get this heavyweight division going," wrote Aspinall, 32. "An active undisputed champion."Jones last fought on Nov. 16, 2024, winning by a third-round TKO over Stipe Miocic. Jones has won six consecutive bouts since a no contest with Daniel Cormier on July 29, announcement countered Jones' own words on Thursday when he appeared on the "Full Send" don't want to say that I'm retired because fighting's in my blood," Jones said on the podcast, per multiple media reports. "Right now, I could really care less about fighting. I've been doing it my whole life at a very high level and when the itch comes back -- and if it comes back -- then I'll do it with my whole heart, do it to the best of my abilities.""I think I will fight again. Where the future of combat sports is going, it's going to be amazing when I pop back up."Jones has had a checkered history out of the octagon, where he became the youngest UFC title holder at age 23 with a win over Mauricio Rua for the 205-pound crown. Jones, who is 16-0 in UFC title bouts, has dealt with legal issues was well as a year-long suspension in 2016 for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs -- a result he disputes.