This wasn’t the dramatic end to the Women’s Super League season that many had hoped for, but for Emma Hayes, there was no better way to retire. In her 12 years as a coach, it’s doubtful she’s had a more enjoyable last day than this one.
His Chelsea team not only did the job, but annihilated Manchester United on their own turf. Interestingly, this has been one of Hayes’ most turbulent and difficult seasons. It is for that reason that this fifth consecutive WSL title probably marks the biggest trophy he has ever won.
For much of the last few months it had felt as if the league was slipping away from Chelsea. After their 4-3 defeat against Liverpool, Hayes even awarded the title to Manchester City. But Arsenal’s victory at the Joie Stadium four days later gave Chelsea a route back and they didn’t need to be asked twice. An 8-0 win over Bristol City and a 1-0 win over Spurs meant they had to match City’s result yesterday.
When Mayra Ramírez put Chelsea ahead after less than two minutes, it was clear that this was going to be her day.
Ramírez’s return from injury couldn’t have come at a better time. Chelsea’s record signing had been sorely missed in recent weeks. United defenders couldn’t live with it. The forward assisted the second and third goals and scored the fourth before the break. By then, the game was finished and so was the title.
Chelsea clinched their fifth consecutive Women’s Super League title on Saturday afternoon.
It was a fairytale farewell for outgoing coach Emma Hayes (pictured), who will end her time at the club with seven WSL titles.
The Blues achieved a great 6-0 victory against Manchester United, overtaking Manchester City to the league title on goal difference.
Millie Bright (below left) and Emma Hayes (below right) lift the WSL trophy together
A fifth goal came at the start of the second half and a sixth in the closing stages. For the 2,700 traveling Chelsea fans, it was party time. They didn’t stop singing and Hayes, at times, joined them.
It will be a big loss for this league and this club, but she leaves as a legend and a serial winner.
Chelsea dominated this match from start to finish and United failed to get a shot on goal.
There were no signs of nerves on the final day from Hayes’ team, who opened the scoring at one minute and 27 seconds. Nathalie Bjorn picked out Guro Reiten on the left wing and sent a perfectly weighted cross into the box, which Ramirez beat past Mary Earps.
The second came six minutes later when Chelsea broke through United’s defense with ease. Melanie Leupolz headed a long ball to Ramírez, who passed a through ball to Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. The winger beat Hannah Blundell before slotting the ball past Earps.
Fran Kirby (pictured) came off the bench in his last appearance in a Chelsea shirt and scored a goal in the 85th minute.
Hayes (left) and Bright (right) led the celebrations on the field after lifting the trophy.
There were no signs of nerves on the final day for Hayes’ team, who opened the scoring after two minutes
Lauren James (pictured) smiled with the WSL trophy, but sat out the match due to a foot injury.
For Hayes (pictured) there was no better way to say goodbye and it is doubtful he had a more enjoyable last day than this.
When the final whistle sounded, the Chelsea bench and coaching staff jumped onto the pitch to celebrate.
Mayra Ramírez (pictured) scored twice during the match after opening the scoring for Chelsea.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (left) doubled the Blues’ lead in the eighth minute of the match.
Legendary football manager Sir Alex Ferguson was also seen at Old Trafford watching
United could have pulled one goal back midway through the first half when Maya Le Tissier met Katie Zelem’s corner, but her header hit the top of the crossbar and rebounded.
Chelsea were forced to make a substitution just before half-time when Catarina Macario was injured. After three minutes, his replacement, Sjoeke Nusken, had found the net. Ramirez showed pace and power to beat Millie Turner before cutting back for Nusken, who hit the back post.
There was still time for a fourth goal before the break, when Ramírez once again outran the United defense before firing into the top left corner.
There were no signs of Chelsea letting up in the second half as Leupolz added the fifth goal two minutes into the second half.
Sjoeke Nusken (right) scored Chelsea’s third, finishing a low cross into an empty net.
Melanie Leupolz’s outstretched leg (pictured) fired a Guro Reiten cross into the back of the net.
This has been one of the most difficult seasons for Hayes and it may also mean the most difficult.
Earps initially did well to save Rytting Kaneryd, but United failed to clear their lines, and Reiten collected a loose ball to cross towards Leupolz, whose first-time effort flew into the bottom right corner.
The most moving goal was the last one. Fran Kirby had come off the bench for his final appearance in a Chelsea shirt and in the 85th minute he scored a goal, finishing intelligently into the bottom corner from inside the area. Kirby is the club’s all-time leading scorer and her goal was as fitting as Chelsea’s performance.
