Chelsea Women win fifth consecutive WSL title

• Chelsea Women are WSL champions for a fifth consecutive season after an emphatic victory over Manchester United
• The Blues put on a flawless performance at Old Trafford thrashing Manchester United 6-0 to beat Manchester City to the title on goal difference

Chelsea Women are Women’s Super League champions for a fifth consecutive season after an emphatic victory over Manchester United.

Chelsea put on a flawless performance at Old Trafford thrashing Manchester United 6-0 to beat Manchester City to the title on goal difference. Emma Hayes’ side had led rivals City by goal difference and needed a big win against United to be crowned champions. Both teams concluded the 2023/24 campaign with 55 points.

Chelsea continued their dominance in the Women’s Super League by winning a fifth consecutive title. Photo/ Football London.

Manchester United’s legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Dave Brailsford, who is the representative for Ineos, were in the director’s box as the club struggled to play against Chelsea.

The Blues were dominant right from the start and needed just two minutes to take the lead. It was Mayra Ramirez who opened the scoring and ran the show in the first period as Chelsea ran riot going 4-0 in front. The 25-year-old Colombian, who is British record signing, was involved in all the four goals her side scored in the first period, finding the back of the net twice and assisting the other two.

Emma Hayes’ team picked up from where they had left after the restart as midfielder Melanie Leupolz scored in the 47th minute. Manchester United avoided further humiliation afterwards but the final nail on the coffin was struck in the 85th minute by Fran Kirby.

Chelsea Women did not only win the match but did so in a convincing manner to be crowned WSL champions. The celebrations took place in Manchester, with manager Hayes lifting the trophy alongside captain Millie Bright.

Whereas it was a day to remember for Chelsea, it was a fateful one for Manchester United who recently thumped Tottenham Hotspur to win the Women’s FA Cup.

Chelsea’s win ensured Manchester City remained without a WSL title since 2016. The Citizens did play their part on Sunday by beating Aston Villa 2-1 but the goals were not enough to overtake Chelsea at the top of the standings.

Mary Fowler opened the scoring for City in the 21st minute but Rachel Daly pulled Villa level eight minutes after the hour mark. Gareth Taylor’s side responded to the leveller by finding the back of the net in the 77th minute when Lauren Hemp scored what turned out to be the winner.

A Perfect Farewell For Manager Emma Hayes

Emma Hayes is leaving Chelsea Women in the best way possible after leading the team to a fifth consecutive league title triumph. Hayes is expected to leave Chelsea and become the manager of the United States women’s team.

Speaking after Saturday’s memorable triumph, Hayes reflected on her time at Chelsea and said she gave everything she had.

“I don’t think I have the words really. I am full with a ton of different emotions. Knowing it is the end and I won’t be with this team or these fans again… but they’re always in my heart. I am ready, I have given everything I’ve got. [I am] ready for my next adventure.” Emma Hayes is quoted by BBC.

Chelsea Women thrashed Manchester United Women 6-0 to win the Women’s Super League and hand Emma Hayes a perfect send-off. Photo/ The Times.

In total, Hayes won seven league titles during her 12-year stay at Chelsea. She also led the team to triumph in five FA Cups, two League Cups and a Community Shield. The 47-year-old will be in charge of the Unites States team this summer at the Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Apart from Hayes, England international Kirby also received a deserving send off as she played her final match as a player for Chelsea Women.