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Chloe Digby¡18 May 2024
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Chloe Digby¡18 May 2024
Chelsea are champions of the WSL for the seventh time under Emma Hayes after a superb performance and a 6-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Manchester City and Chelsea went into the final game of the season neck and neck on points, with Chelsea holding a marginal advantage with a plus two goal difference.
In boss Emma Hayesâ final match in charge of the club, the Blues showed just how ruthless they can be, racing into the lead immediately as Mayra RamĂrez netted after just two minutes.
After eight minutes, it looked like it was almost over for Manchester City before it had even stated as Chelsea doubled their lead. RamĂrez went from goal scorer to provider for Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, who slotted home past the onrushing Mary Earps.
With Chelsea 2-0 up, Manchester City were already in the position where they needed to score five goals without reply against Aston Villa to take the WSL title.
They made a start when Mary Fowler struck on the volley from inside the box to put City 1-0 up at Villa Park.
But Chelsea were ruthless and added a third just before half-time, when RamĂrez completely outwitted Millie Turner, setting up Sjoeke NĂźsken to tap into an empty net, and by half-time it was all-but over as star player RamĂrez scored again.
The scoreline turned into an embarrassment for United when the champions elect made it 5-0 just after the break.
Rachel Daly then fired in an equaliser for Villa, which effectively took the title beyond reach for Gareth Taylorâs side.
With a title win off the cards, England star Lauren Hemp put City back in front, and Fran Kirby put Chelsea 6-0 up in her last game for her side.
Chelsea end the Emma Hayes era by lifting the WSL title, thanks to an eight-goal advantage over Man City on the final day of the campaign.
This wasnât only the end of an era for Emma Hayes, as there were plenty of tearful goodbyes in the WSL.
Todayâs game marked the end of the line at Chelsea for Fran Kirby after nine years at the club, and she signed off in style by adding Chelseaâs sixth and her 116th goal for the club.
Manchester City stalwart Steph Houghton had also announced her decision to retire at the end of this season, and her last game ended in disappointment with no league trophy to lift.
Popular Aston Villa manager Carla Ward leaves her role, while Viv Miedema will feel like she proved a point when she scored with her first touch of the game after the Gunners opted not to renew her contract.