Liverpool 4-3 Chelsea: Chelsea’s title race is done – Hayes
Chelsea WFC boss Emma Hayes has said the race for the WSL title is over for the Blues – and Man City are likely to win it.
It comes after Chelsea lost 4-3 to Liverpool on Wednesday.
Despite winning 1-0 at half-time, the Blues lost control after the break and succumbed to a damaging second defeat in four days.
Chelsea were knocked out the Champions League by Barcelona on Saturday and now sit six points behind WSL leaders Man City – with a game in hand and an eight-goal deficit to close.
“I think the title is done,” said Hayes, whose side have three matches left to play.
“Of course, mathematically it’s not, but I think the title is done. Our job between now and the end of the season is to keep pushing until the end, but I think it will be very difficult.”
Aggie Beever-Jones’ ninth-minute finish had put Chelsea ahead – and seemingly on course for a routine win on the road as they eyed a fifth straight WSL title.
But Liverpool, who came into the match on the back of a 10-day break, turned things around to stun the second-placed side.
Sophie Roman Haug levelled to spark a topsy-turvy last 40 minutes as Gemma Bonner’s injury-time header – her second of the game – clinched the three points for Matt Beard’s side.
“This team has done a tremendous job in my time here to really compete and push for titles,” added Hayes.
“I don’t know if we have ever conceded four goals in a half before – three from set-pieces is just unforgivable.”
“I don’t know if we have ever conceded four goals in a half before – three from set-pieces is just unforgivable.
“But I’m going to credit Liverpool. They wanted it, they executed their gameplan. They delivered from that and from set-pieces they got goals.”
In November, Hayes announced she’ll be leaving Chelsea at the end of the season to take charge of the USWNT. There had been talks of a historic quadruple.
But they lost the League Cup final to Arsenal on 31 March, they’ve been eliminated in both the FA Cup and the Champions League – and now the WSL title seems out of reach.
But since their League Cup final loss to Arsenal on 31 March, they have been eliminated from both the FA Cup and the Champions League at the last-four stage.
“It’s not to be this year but I’m sure Chelsea will continue to be at the top of the game and it’s important that we go out in the best possible way.”
Still not over this ball from @Ceriholland_11 🤌@kiernan_leanne with the composed finish for @LiverpoolFCW!#BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/KDcvZyeVEh
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) May 2, 2024