Manchester City's two Australian stars Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy are in pole position to become English champions after a calamitous Women's Super League defeat for Chelsea.
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Not even an own goal from their Matildas goalkeeper Teagan Micah could prevent Liverpool from beating champions Chelsea 4-3 on Wednesday (Thursday AEST), a result that has tipped the title race decisively in City's favour.
Fowler had scored two dazzlers and Kennedy was a rock at the back in the City side that had swept to a 4-0 win at Bristol City at the weekend, and Chelsea simply couldn't respond to the increasing pressure at Liverpool's Prenton Park.
Already beaten in the League Cup final, FA Cup semis and Champions League semis in recent weeks, a season that looked as if it could be a glorious "quadruple'' send-off for manager Emma Hayes, who will be leaving to coach the USA, may now end up with the Blues winning nothing.
The destiny of a fifth straight WSL title is now out of Chelsea's hands as they still lie six points behind City with only one game in hand, and are also trailing on goal difference.
If City gain a win and a draw against third-placed Arsenal and Aston Villa in their final two games, it will be enough to guarantee a first title, while Chelsea must hope for them to slip up while they beat relegated Bristol City, FA Cup finalists Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in their final three fixtures.
Hayes already appears to have accepted the game is up for Chelsea, who have clearly missed their totemic Australian striker Sam Kerr since she suffered the ACL injury in January that wrecked her season.
"I think the title is done," Hayes said. "Of course, mathematically it's not, but I think the title is done.
"Our job between now and the end of the season is to keep pushing until the end, but I think it will be very difficult."
Chelsea gave up the advantage on what proved an amazing game against Liverpool.
The visitors led early through Aggie Beever-Jones and seemed to be cruising when Liverpool burst back after the break with Sophie Roman Haug's equaliser and a Gemma Bonner header.
Beever-Jones levelled again for Chelsea, but Liverpool substitute Leanne Kiernan put the Reds ahead again a minute later to set up a grandstand finish.
But Micah turned the ball into her own net in the 83rd minute to give Chelsea a lifeline, only for Bonner, on her 150th club appearance, to head home the winner in the second minute of stoppage time.
Chelsea must now rely on favours from other teams, and it could be their big London rivals Arsenal, with their trio of Matildas - Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross - who are their main hopes of salvation as they visit City on Saturday.
Australian Associated Press
