West Ham United 0-1 Manchester City: Ellen White hits winner for Women's Super League runners-up
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Women's Super League highlights: West Ham 0-1 Man City
England striker Ellen White finally broke spirited West Ham's resistance as Manchester City ended the Women's Super League season as runners-up.
City hit the woodwork three times and also saw two penalties superbly saved by Hammers keeper Mackenzie Arnold.
White guided home Lucy Bronze's cross to win it after Hawa Cissoko's error.
But Chelsea's title-clinching victory over Reading rendered the result redundant as City finished in second spot for the fourth consecutive season.
They finished two points adrift of the champions, ultimately paying the price for a slow start to the campaign in which they lost to Chelsea and were held by Manchester United, Reading and Brighton.
For a long time, it appeared another frustrating afternoon was in store as West Ham defended resolutely, aided by Arnold and the woodwork coming to their rescue when required.
Both sides held a minute's applause before the game in memory of legendary former Doncaster Rovers Belles manager Julie Chipchase, who died on Tuesday at the age of 60 after a short illness.
With news filtering through that Chelsea had taken an early lead against Reading, City knew their hopes of repeating their solitary WSL triumph in 2016 were already fading.
They needed to win by at least four goals to pinch the title even if Chelsea had been held, but Canada forward Janine Beckie wasted two big chances, foiled by Arnold one-on-one before heading Lauren Hemp's cross wide.
Caroline Weir hit the bar from the edge of the box and was denied a tap-in by Gilly Flaherty's goal-line clearance before Arnold redeemed herself for a foul on White by saving Sam Mewis' penalty.
West Ham, safe from relegation with a three-point cushion and vastly superior goal difference over bottom side Bristol City, rarely threatened, Cissoko volleying their best opening wide after a fine run.
Esme Morgan and Mewis both headed against the bar within seconds of each other after the break but Cissoko twice erred, robbed by Bronze for White's goal and then fouling the England defender for City's second penalty, which Arnold saved from Rose Lavelle.