Sam Kerr marked her Chelsea farewell with a record-equalling goal that earned the Blues a 1-0 win over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

The Australian striker will leave when her contract expires in the summer and she bid goodbye in style with a first-half strike to equal Fran Kirby's club record of 116 goals.

However, the win was not enough for Chelsea to finish in the top two of the Women's Super League after Arsenal claimed victory in their final game.

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A third-placed finish instead secures a spot in the Champions League qualifiers for Sonia Bompastor's side.

United were handed an early blow when right-back Jayde Riviere was taken off injured just six minutes in, with Hanna Lundkvist replacing her.

Chelsea then went close when former United winger Lauren James fired the ball towards Phallon Tullis-Joyce, but the goalkeeper stuck out a hand to tip the effort on to the roof of goal.

United forward Melvine Malard then sent a shot just over the crossbar, but the Blues looked to strike again when James curled the ball around the upright and Ellie Carpenter's dipping cross rattled the frame of the goal.

Kerr had found herself in some promising positions before breaking the deadlock in the 34th minute, latching on to James' excellent delivery into the area and hooking the ball past Tullis-Joyce.

Chelsea looked to extend their advantage just before the break, but Tullis-Joyce made a low save from Alyssa Thompson's effort.

Early in the second half, Jess Park played a brilliant delivery into Ellen Wangerheim and the forward's powerful header smashed off the post.

Another dangerous opportunity saw Julia Zigiotti played through on goal and the midfielder opted to pass into Wangerheim before Chelsea were able to quickly recover.

Dominique Janssen sent a free-kick wide of goal in the final 10 minutes and substitute goalkeeper Livia Peng made a late stop as Chelsea saw out the win.