Sport

๐‚๐ก๐ž๐ฅ๐ฌ๐ž๐š ๐ฐ๐ข๐ง ๐–๐จ๐ฆ๐ž๐งโ€™๐ฌ ๐’๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ž๐ซ ๐‹๐ž๐š๐ ๐ฎ๐ž For 5th Consecutive Times ๐š๐ฌ ๐‚๐จ๐š๐œ๐ก ๐‡๐š๐ฒ๐ž๐ฌ ๐›๐จ๐ฐ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ

Chelsea were crowned Womenโ€™s Super League champions for a fifth successive season as boss Emma Hayes bowed out in style with a title-clinching 6-0 rout of Manchester United on Saturday.

Hayesโ€™ side went into the last day of the season ahead of second-placed Manchester City on goal difference in a thrilling finish to the title race.

Chelsea raced into a four-goal lead by half-time at Old Trafford and, with City unable to match that spree in their 2-1 win at Aston Villa, the silverware was destined for Stamford Bridge once again.

Level on points with City, the Blues finished on top with a +53 goal difference compared to Cityโ€™s +46.

What a wonderful performance. The hardest thing to do is five in a row because people take their eye off the ball,โ€ Hayes said.

โ€œI canโ€™t say itโ€™s my most enjoyable title. Itโ€™s definitely been the toughest without a doubt, and for that reason probably the sweetest.โ€

It was a fitting finale for Hayes, who was saying farewell to the club she had brought so much success to during 12 years in charge.

Hayes is leaving to take over as United States Womenโ€™s boss after winning seven Super League titles, five FA Cups and two League Cups.

โ€œGreat memories, listening to the fans, the connection with the players. I just havenโ€™t got any more to give, I know that,โ€ Hayes said.

The 47-year-oldโ€™s legacy is not just the silverware in Chelseaโ€™s trophy cabinet, but also her key role in helping the huge growth in popularity of the womenโ€™s game in Britain.

โ€œEveryone said girls canโ€™t play, nor can they fill stadiums, nor can they get paid, nor can they create history,โ€ Hayes said.

โ€œNot only are we not going away but we are going to fill them every week. Womenโ€™s football now is a serious business and that for me is what itโ€™s about.โ€

Chelsea made a dream start against Womenโ€™s FA Cup winners United in the second minute as Guro Reitenโ€™s cross picked out Mayra Ramirez and she rose highest to head home.

Six minutes later, Hayes was punching the air in delight as Johanna Kaneryd clipped a composed finish past United keeper Mary Earps.

Over at Villa Park, Mary Fowler gave City hope with a powerful strike in the 21st minute.

But Ramirez ensured Chelsea would not have to worry about being caught by City.

Surging away down the right flank, Ramirezโ€™s pin-point cross was tapped in by Sjoeke Nusken in the 43rd minute.

Ramirez waltzed through the hapless United defence and smashed a thunderous drive into the roof of the net in first-half stoppage time.

Hayesโ€™ team showed no mercy and Melanie Leupolz scored their fifth in the 47th minute with a close-range effort.

Damilare Kayode

Reporter & Editor

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button