Emma Hayes landed her seventh WSL title with Chelsea on Saturday after a 6-0 victory away at Manchester United, with title rivals Manchester City winning 2-1 at Aston Villa. The win meant that Chelsea claimed the title on goal difference ahead of Hayes’ departure for the United States, where she is set to take over the States’ women’s national team.
Chelsea became Women’s Super League champions once again as they trounced Manchester United 6-0 on Saturday afternoon, pipping Manchester City to the title on goal difference.
The Blues and City both started the day on 52 points, with City away from home against Aston Villa, and Emma Hayes’ side travelling to Manchester.
The Londoners looked to have the tougher task on paper, with United in with a chance of beating rivals Liverpool to fourth place if results went their way.
However Chelsea were convincing winners as they racked up six goals to ensure Hayes’ final season with the club ended in triumph.
The win is Chelsea and Hayes’ fifth consecutive league title.
Mayra Ramirez settled nerves after just two minutes with a powerful header, and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd made it two six minutes later with a neat finish after sprinting past the backline.
Sjoeke Nusken then started a three-goal blitz as she scored on 44 minutes when she tapped in at the back post. Ramirez grabbed her brace in first-half injury time after bursting into the box with a change of pace, and Melanie Leupolz made it five two minutes after the restart following a goalmouth scramble.
With the title almost certain, Fran Kirby scored her side’s sixth goal, latching onto a through-ball to slide home after being involved in the build-up.
City had Mary Fowler to thank for the lead as she put the away side ahead after 21 minutes, but they must have been aware of their title rivals’ position in their match.
But on 67 minutes, Rachel Daley levelled for Villa after drifting inside from the left and curling in a shot with the outside of her right boot, leaving City’s hopes in tatters. Despite having more than 20 shots on goal, they registered just a single goal.
Lauren Hemp responded 10 minutes later when she converted Fowler’s cross, but there was little to celebrate as they needed another six goals to overhaul their goal-difference deficit, on Steph Houghton’s final game.
Liverpool were 4-0 winners at Leicester City as they secured fourth spot in the WSL, while Arsenal were also big winners, beating Brighton 5-0.
Vivianne Miedema was on the scoresheet for Arsenal as she finished from close range in her final appearance for the side.
Tottenham beat West Ham 3-1 in a London derby, while relegated Bristol lost 4-0 at home to Everton.
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