Chelsea Women manager Emma Hayes was left feeling “mentally drained” after her “amazing” team fought back on the final day to retain their WSL title.
The Blues twice came from behind to beat Manchester United 4-2 to keep their closest rivals Arsenal at bay.
Erin Cuthbert and Guro Reiten scored either side of two superb volleys from Sam Kerr at a sold out Kingsmeadow.
Chelsea fight back from behind on final day against Man Utd to retain WSL
“First half I thought we played with fear; second half we played to win and I have to credit the whole dressing room for switching that mentality because we knew we had something to lose,” Hayes told her club’s website
“Once we play like we had something to win, that was the difference.
“We’re 2-1 down at home, packed house, everyone’s thinking, ‘oh no, you can’t lose the title at home’ and then we go and do that second half, we’re just amazing.”
Chelsea will look to complete the double in next Sunday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.
“I’m absolutely mentally drained right now,” added Hayes. “I will just go home, have a cup of tea as usual and get ready for tomorrow.”
TOGETHER. 💙#CHAMPIIIONS pic.twitter.com/P7kGLXKXAR
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) May 8, 2022
Arsenal knew they could snatch the title on the final day, if they bettered Chelsea’s result.
It looked within their reach when their rivals twice trailed the Red Devils, first following Martha Thomas’ header and again when Ella Toone volleyed home after Cuthbert briefly levelled.
But the Blues roared back in the second period. Kerr equalised and later gave her side breathing space with another fine strike following Reiten’s close-range finish.
Goalscorer Cuthbert said: “I feel like it’s the best one (title success) yet. The league’s getting tighter, more competitive, we’ve won it on the last day.
“Probably everyone was watching thinking we were down and out but never write off this…
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