Chelsea manager Emma Hayes says winning the Women’s Super League title is done after her side lost 4-3 to Liverpool on Wednesday.
Chelsea had led 1-0 at half-time through an Aggie Beever-Jones’ ninth-minute finish and everything was on course for a routine win on the road as they eyed a fifth straight WSL title.
However, after the break, the defending champions had no antidote to Liverpool’s fightback as they coiled and succumbed to a second defeat in four days.
The loss puts Chelsea six points below leaders Manchester City with a game in hand and coach for the Blues Emma Hayes has already given up on defending the title even though her side has three matches left to play.
“I think the title is done, 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.
This team has done a tremendous job in my time here to really compete and push for titles,” said Hayes.
- Chelsea manager Emma Hayes says lack of female coaches ‘a massive issue’
- Chelsea end Barcelona’s unbeaten streak with crucial victory in Women’s Champions League
Even though Hayes credited Liverpool for their performance, she was however left baffled about how her side conceded goals
“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 game plan. They delivered from that and from set-pieces they got goals,” she added.
Just like Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp, Chelsea had a chance of finishing 2023/24 with a historic quadruple when Hayes announced in November she would be leaving but her team has since then lost the League Cup final and have been eliminated from both the FA Cup and the Champions League.