Arsenal Ladies clinch thrilling title race with single-goal win at Everton

Arsenal Ladies clinched their sixth successive league title after beating closest rivals Everton 1-0 on the last day of the season. The Toffees only need a point to win the championship, but the Gunners took a 13th minute lead through Suzanne Grant and he

Arsenal Ladies clinched their sixth successive league title after beating closest rivals Everton 1-0 on the last day of the season.

The Toffees only need a point to win the championship, but the Gunners took a 13th minute lead through Suzanne Grant and held on to complete the domestic treble.

Manager Vic Akers, who bowed out after 22 years following Sunday's win, was back in north London as the game kicked off, in his full-time role as the first team's kit man at Emirates - and received congratulations from Chelsea and England skipper John Terry.

"I was on the phone from 2pm onwards and had every opportunity to get information. After 13 minutes I heard that we'd scored and I remember thinking 'this could be too early','' said Akers, who has won 32 major honours as manager.

"John Terry was coming off the pitch after the warm-up and I'd just that second heard that we'd won. He's quite knowledgeable. He asked how the girls were getting on. I told him we had just won and he said congratulations, which was lovely."

Despite not being on Merseyside for the crunch game, Akers said the win was on a par with the victory in the 2007 Uefa Womens Cup against favourites Umea IK.

"This one is massive. It's probably the highlight of what has been a marvellous 22 years for us. To go there and win under those difficult circumstances is probably one of our greatest achievements. I think the way this one had to be won has been the most pleasing."

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