Man City adds women’s title to feats since Abu Dhabi buyout

Manchester City can now add English soccer’s top women’s prize to its list of achievements since the club was transformed by an influx of Abu Dhabi investment.

City secured its first Women’s Super League title on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over Chelsea, dethroning the Russian-owned London club.

Katie Chapman’s own-goal and Toni Duggan’s second-half penalty gave City its 13th win of the season and kept the team unbeaten with only the 16th and final game still to play.

City gained entry to the top flight only three years ago after the club committed to funding in order to strengthen the women's team, including signing England internationals like Duggan and Jill Scott.

“The girls have made so many sacrifices to make sure we won this,” Scott said. “It’s been a long journey over three years but it’s fantastic to finally win this trophy.”

Investment

Sunday’s title-clinching game was played in front of more than 4,000 fans on the campus next to the Etihad Stadium which was funded by Sheikh Mansour, a member of Abu Dhabi's ruling family who bought City in 2008.

The initial investment in the men's team saw City win the English top flight for the first time in the Premier League era in 2012. Pep Guardiola’s men have started the season with 10 wins out of 10 in all competitions.

While City is competing with Manchester United for the Premier League title, the crosstown rivals can’t challenge for silverware in women’s soccer. United has resisted calls to launch a women’s team.