In her last match against Chelsea, Emma Hayes won a historic fifth title in the Women’s Super League after a 6-0 win over Manchester United, beating Manchester City on goal difference.
Two minutes from time, Mayra Ramirez gave Les Bleues the lead after converting a magnificent cross from Guro Reiten. Seven minutes later, Rytting Kaneryd doubled this after beating Mary Earps. A third came just before half-time as substitute Sjoeke Nusken. He tapped into Earps’ net before Ramirez scored the fourth just before halftime.
The second half saw an attack. Melanie Leupolz scored the fifth goal less than a minute after the restart, and the 30-year-old made the most of Kaneryd’s effort. Fran Kirby added brilliance to a crushing victory in what would also mark his final game for the club.
While Manchester United presented little in terms of opposition, Chelsea’s rivals may not have the same to say about their warring parties on the final day. Aston Villa made life difficult for City from the start, surprising the visitors with their verve and courage. City broke the deadlock with 21 minutes to go thanks to a great finish from Mary Fowler. But despite plenty of close chances, adding Laura Blinkindle Brown hitting the crossbar, City may simply not find their pass.
The absence of star striker Khadija Shaw, sitting on the touchline with a damaged foot, has become all the more striking given that City’s previous profligacy was punished through Rachel Daly. La Leona took advantage of a defensive error and equalized with just over 20 minutes remaining. Although Lauren Hemp restored City’s lead, victory would be of little consolation as the name remained in Chelsea’s hands for the fifth year in a row.
The WSL title race has been endless for more than four seasons, but Sunday’s showdown was explained by the narrowest margins. City’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal at the penultimate weekend left the door open for Chelsea, who overcame their goal difference deficit with an 8-0 against Bristol City before extending it with a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, meaning fate is slipping away from City’s name.
Prior to Sunday, Chelsea demanded victory over United as they waited for City to put the problems against Aston Villa behind them or benefit from a three-goal turnaround in their favour.
Chelsea took the lead without delay and did not give up. At half-time, a lesson in execution: 4 shots on target, 4 goals. In the end, there were six on target, five scored.
While Chelsea were a possessed team, City were a dissatisfied team. Their missed opportunities went unpunished and they did not go unpunished. As Daly celebrated the equalizer, substitutes Steph Houghton and Alex Greenwood were apoplectic and raised their arms to each other and their teammates. frustration. Hemp’s goal was far from reassuring in the face of a larger situation.
Sunday’s win for Chelsea means Hayes, who will leave the club after a glittering 12-year tenure to take over as the USWNT’s new coach, raised his goal tally to 16 trophies and ensured his final season as head coach will be remembered as one without a trophy.
Chelsea were in contention for a historic quadruple that would coincide with Hayes’ final season at the helm. But a month of depressing effects saw the Blues knocked out of the FA Cup semi-finals and Champions League semi-finals, while Arsenal retained their continental title. The name of the cup came back thanks to the winner of extra time by Stina Blackstenius.
It was Chelsea’s opponents in the FA Cup semi-final, and now reigning FA Cup champions, Manchester United, who stood between Hayes and a definitive trophy with Chelsea. United’s defeat left them fifth in the WSL table, Liverpool, a sign of the paintings-in-progress the club remains despite winning a first primary trophy since the women’s team was reformed in 2018.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s domestic dominance extends to a record-breaking fifth year, a sign of the juggernaut Chelsea has under Hayes’ leadership.
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