Arsenal take English WSL title

Arsenal LFC secured the new FA Women's Super League title on the final day of the season with a 3-1 win at Liverpool LFC.

Champions for the last seven years of England's Premier League prior to the launch of the new summer WSL in April, Arsenal had trailed surprise package Birmingham City LFC for most of the campaign but moved a point ahead with a 1-0 victory against Everton LFC ten days ago. That meant victory at bottom side Liverpool today would continue Arsenal's domination and they duly delivered, though, as it happened, rivals Birmingham were held 2-2 by two late Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC goals.

The Gunners were on their way when Danielle Carter's ninth-minute through ball was finished off by Rachel Yankey, who doubled the lead late in the first half after being set up by Ellen White. Katie Brusell pulled one back for Liverpool just before the hour, but the 2007 European champions removed all doubt with 17 minutes remaining when White was brought down in the box and Kim Little converted the penalty.

Following their 13th national title, Arsenal have become the first team to book their place in the 2012/13 UEFA Women's Champions League. England's other berth is decided by the FA Women's Cup, which the WSL teams enter at the last-16 stage next March.

In this season's UEFA Women's Champions League, Arsenal face a round of 32 tie with Belarusian side FC Bobruchanka, away on 28 September and at home a week later. European debutants Bristol Academy WFC – who finished the WSL in fifth – welcome FC Energiya Voronezh for their first leg before the return in Russia. Before that Arsenal, Bristol and the other English top-flight clubs play in the FA WSL Cup which begins next weekend and ends in Burton on 25 September.