- Maika Hamano’s goal against Tottenham took Chelsea back to the top of the WSL
- The Blues will equal Manchester City on points, but are ahead on goal difference
- CHRIS SUTTON: Arsenal players will feel SICK if they don’t win the title… I wonder if they can come back next year – Listen to the It’s all starting! podcast
The fairy tale ending for Emma Hayes is underway.
Chelsea will enter the final day of the Women’s Super League season at the top of the table, tied on points with Manchester City but with a slightly higher goal difference.
At times, it seemed as if Chelsea were determined to make this match against Tottenham more difficult than necessary. The Blues could have been out of sight before the break if they had been more precise in front of goal.
Maybe he told the story of his season. They needed courage and determination to cross the line after Maika Hamano put them ahead in the 37th minute, but they did it, as champions often do.
Just two weeks ago, Hayes had conceded the title to City after his team suffered a 4-3 defeat at Liverpool. But Arsenal’s victory over Gareth Taylor’s team in the following match, and Chelsea’s subsequent 8-0 victory against Bristol City, put them back in control and their fate is now very much in their own hands.
Emma Hayes has a chance of winning the Women’s Super League in her final season at Chelsea
The Blues sealed a 1-0 victory against Tottenham, returning them to the top of the league table.
Maika Hamano’s (center) goal allowed Chlesea to prepare for the final day’s showdown against Man City.
The Blues have a goal difference of +47, two more than City. If the two teams finish tied on points and goal difference, it will all come down to goals scored: Chelsea currently have a six-point lead over their rivals.
Hayes’ side will face Manchester United at Old Trafford on the final day, while City travel to Aston Villa.
Both matches are complicated and there are likely to be even more twists and turns in what has been a fascinating and exciting title race.
Chelsea started strongly against a Spurs team that had suffered a resounding defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup final on Sunday. The Blues had two big penalty appeals early in the first half – in the first, Luana Buhler blocked Hamano’s close-range shot with her arm, before Grace Clinton pulled back Melanie Leupolz in the box – but both appeals were rejected by referee Emily Heaslip.
Chelsea had multiple opportunities to open the scoring, but wasted the goal, until Hamano finally opened the scoring in the 37th minute.
Catarina Macario advanced through the center before sending a pass to Guro Reiten on the left. The forward took a couple of touches before crossing to the far post, where Hamano was waiting to pass the ball to Barbora Votikova.
Chelsea had several opportunities to break the tie, but wasted in front of goal.
Luana Buhler (right) nearly scored the Spurs goal, but her team couldn’t find the back of the net.
Tottenham wasted their chances and Chelsea held on to seal a nervy victory.
Robert Vilahamn’s Spurs have failed to win in their last four league games
Chelsea will now face Manchester City on the final day for the league title.
Spurs had failed to create any meaningful chances in the first half but started the second strongly, with Aggie Beever-Jones having to make a vital block to prevent Buhler’s shot from a corner before Ashleigh Neville fired over the bar .
Clinton then went close with a long-range shot, but Zecira Musovic in the Chelsea goal had it covered. Spurs’ early momentum faded as Chelsea managed the game well, while continuing to squander their own chances at the other end.
