Chelsea clinch WSL title with stunning 6-0 win over Man Utd as Emma Hayes gets perfect farewell before emotional exit.
2023/2024 England FA Women’s Cup
0–6
- M. Ramírez (2′)
- J. Rytting-Kaneryd (8′)
- S. Nüsken (44′)
- M. Ramírez (45’+2′)
- M. Leupolz (47′)
- F. Kirby (85′)
Match Report
MAYRA RAMIREZ caused magnificent mayhem, lighting the fuse for a six-goal Chelsea rampage with Emma Hayes given a storming send-off.
The Colombian bagged a brace in a 6-0 Old Trafford trouncing of Manchester United, with Fran Kirby also netting in her final Blues outing.
The one-sided demolition saw the team crowned Women’s Super League queens for a fifth successive time with England boss Sarina Wiegman and United icon Sir Alex Ferguson watching from the stands
The visitors also took their trophy tally from 15 to a sweet 16 with Hayes ending her Blues’ reign as a top-flight champion 12 years on from starting her job without an office or staff.
Women’s Super League season finales did not come much more intense than today’s fixtures with the race once again going to the wire.
The stakes were high for the Blues who started the day top but level on points with second-placed Man City initially by virtue of a plus-two goal difference advantage.
It was the final day their blunt-talking, serial-winning boss Hayes would be in their dugout before taking charge of the USA Women’s national team at the end of this term.
In a season that began with dreams of a quadruple trophy treble, hopes that were later dashed, the visitors were eager to give their boss another silverware send-off
With Arsenal defeating them in the Conti Cup, Barcelona dispatching them in the Champions League and Man United ending their FA Cup run in the semis, the league was their only hope
“The league is your bread and butter”, was a response Hayes gave at a press conference two years ago when asked how it means to her to win back-to-back titles.
Yet earlier this month her seven-time title winners came so close to ending the season trophyless.
A shock 4-3 loss to Liverpool took the race out of Chelsea’s hands with Gareth Taylor’s Man City looking odds on to triumph.
But Chelsea’s bitter rivals Arsenal clinching a hardfought away win against City earlier this month gave Hayes a second chance.
“We’re not f***king done yet”, were the words Hayes’ roared after her final home game at Kingsmeadow 13 days ago.
Back then her side capitalised on Man City dropping points to reignite their title challenge by thrashing Bristol City 8-0
And in today’s game they grabbed it with both hands roasting the Red Devils by racing to a 4-0 lead in 44 minutes.
Ramirez, who missed the Blues’ last five matches with a hamstring injury, made a stunning return with her crocked striker pal Sam Kerr among those watching from the stands.
The Colombian took just two minutes to give Chelsea a lead heading home from Guro Reiten’s cross.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd made 2-0 six minutes later, slotting into a far corner beyond United goalkeeper Mary Earps.
United hit the woodwork with Maya Le Tissier’s attempted header from a corner before Sjoeke Nusken made 3-0 at close range.
And they took their lead to 4-0 with Ramirez outmuscling her marker to bag her brace before half-time.
The second spell went from bad to worse for Marc Skinner’s side with Melanie Leupolz taking advantage of their failure to clear to slam the ball into the roof of the net.
And Chelsea heroine, who was playing her last Blues game before leaving the club this month, slotting home a classy finish to wrap up the hammering.
Line-ups
Manchester United XI: R. Williams, M. Earps, H. Blundell, J. Riviere, M. Malard, Lucía García, L. Naalsund, K. Zelem, M. Turner, Ella Toone, Maya Le Tissier
Subs: N. Parris, H. Ladd, G. Evans, H. Miyazawa, Irene Guerrero, Geyse, P. Tullis-Joyce, A. Mannion, Evie Rabjohn
Chelsea XI: M. Leupolz, G. Reiten, M. Bright, E. Cuthbert, Z. Musovic, N. Björn, J. Carter, M. Ramírez, J. Rytting-Kaneryd, C. Macário, Niamh Charles
Subs: S. Ingle, A. Lawrence, K. Buchanan, F. Kirby, S. Nüsken, H. Hampton, Aggie Beever-Jones, Lauren James, Maika Hamano
