Manchester — Every fairytale requires a happy ending, and Emma Hayes received hers at Chelsea. A 6-0 demolition of Manchester United at Old Trafford was the perfect send-off for the sturdy manager, who won her fifth consecutive Women’s Super League (WSL) title as she prepares to retire and take over the USWNT this summer.
After 12 years of triumph, it appeared that her journey would finish in the worst possible way: without a trophy. After losing the Conti Cup final to Arsenal, being knocked out of the FA Cup by United in the semifinals, and failing to hold a first-leg lead to lose 2-1 on aggregate to Barcelona in the Champions League semifinals, Hayes’ grip on the WSL title appeared to slip after a 4-3 defeat to Liverpool two weeks ago.
But there is always a late plot twist, and in what has been arguably the Blues’ most tumultuous season — plagued by injuries, poor performances, and losses — an 8-0 win over Bristol City, combined with a 2-1 defeat for rivals Manchester City at Arsenal the same day, put them back in first place on goal difference.
In her final prematch news conference, Hayes bid a teary farewell. It was not how she had imagined the season would go, but she emphasized that she would not alter a thing and instructed her team to play freely and without pressure. She also stated that she would not be watching what City was doing. In the end, there was no reason to.
City needed to defeat Aston Villa by three goals and pray Chelsea didn’t win at United. Chelsea quickly took control with goals from Mayra Ramírez in the first two minutes and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd six minutes later. Hayes celebrated each goal emphatically, her face etched with delight.Chelsea striker Sam Kerr, who was sidelined for the rest of the season after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in January, was also cheering and celebrating in the dugout.
But it felt more than just celebrating goals; it felt like the Australian international was reveling in the idea that her boss would be given the farewell she so well deserved.
Ironically, the player signed to replace Kerr was instrumental in Chelsea’s victory. Hayes signed Ramirez in the January transfer window for a then-world record fee of €500,000, but the Colombia international struggled initially due to a string of ailments (missing the crucial UWCL quarterfinal second leg) and had only one league goal in six games to date.
But here, she was almost unstoppable. After a strong header for the opener, Ramirez outpaced Millie Turner with a stunning move down the right, drawing Earps to her near post before cutting the ball across the box for an unmarked Sjoeke Nüsken to score the third on 44 minutes. Then, right before halftime, Ramirez scored the fourth, running through a static defence and firing into the net.
If United had any hopes of getting back into the game in the second half, it was dashed inside two minutes when Melanie Leupolz capitalized on a comedy of mistakes in their defense to make it 5-0 and cast the die.
At the 70-minute mark, chants of “Emma, what’s the score?” were answered with Hayes smiled and raising her hand with five fingers in the air, encapsulating the day’s excitement and celebration. The Blues still had time to add a sixth through all-time top scorer Fran Kirby, who came on as a substitute in her final game after a nine-year career at the club and scored her final goal (No.116).
The only thing left to do was celebrate.City’s 2-1 victory over Villa was meaningless, since Chelsea won the title for the seventh time because to their superior goal difference (+7). It was a merciless, clinical, and overwhelming performance from a team that established a WSL season record for most goals scored (71). United were unimpressive, undoubtedly exhausted from their efforts in winning the FA Cup final the previous weekend, but Hayes’ team proved unstoppable.
“It’s pretty special,” Chelsea captain Millie Bright told Sky Sports. “When half the country dismisses you, we’ve always had a monster mindset. We were given a second chance, but you had to accept it. I think the atmosphere is fantastic; we have to have ten out of ten performances. “The players were impressive.”
It takes a particular mindset and a special coach to overcome adversity like Chelsea has this season and turn it into a motivator. Since Hayes’ departure was announced in November, there has been a maelstrom of emotions surrounding them.
“It’s been an emotional week, and probably a rollercoaster seven months,” Hayes told the BBC later. “It’s difficult to keep your emotions under control. I am just relieved it is finished.”
Many questioned whether the team had lost faith in the manager; some even wondered if this was the end of the dominance she had unleashed over the previous five seasons. But she had coached this Chelsea team well, and they knew how to win when it counted the most. When the final whistle rang at Old Trafford, the stadium erupted in chants of “We love you, Emma” in tribute to the beloved manager’s impact and legacy.
“I assembled a team of leaders from the start,” she told Sky Sports. “We needed to be emotionally mature for a stadium like this. I can’t say it’s my favorite, but it’s been the most difficult, therefore it’s definitely the most rewarding. I am so relieved that it is finished.
“I have amazing recollections of listening to the fans and connecting with the players. I know I don’t have any more to give. Five in a row is the most difficult since individuals tend to lose focus. My legacy is to win while constructing a future-ready club.” Hayes leaves Chelsea as one of the world’s top managers. She has changed women’s football in England, spoken up when others did not, and propelled the club to new heights, forcing her competitors to adapt to stay up.
It wasn’t the fairytale season she had hoped for when vying for four trophies, but a ruthless 6-0 victory to secure yet another WSL crown was the best way to cap off her stay. She’ll be missed.
I want many other match score!!