‘Back-to-back-to-back-to-back-to-back’ was what adorned the t-shirts Chelsea players and staff wore to receive the WSL trophy on Saturday evening.
The scene was a sun-drenched Old Trafford, where the Blues had just dished out a 6-0 pumelling of Manchester United. But this one, Chelsea’s fifth consecutive league title and the seventh of Emma Hayes’ 12-year reign, nearly didn’t happen at all.
At the start of May, Hayes herself declared the title race to be “done” in favour of Manchester City when Chelsea were stunned by Liverpool. If it was ever “done”, it only was for a matter of days. Then came City’s sudden late collapse against Arsenal, followed by Chelsea putting eight goals past Bristol City to swing the goal difference their way, and winning a game in hand victory against Tottenham Hotspur to move level with City on points going into the final day.
Although they were in the driving seat by then, there was still some work to do. But Saturday’s handsome win against Manchester United was never in doubt from the earliest stages when two quickfire goals in the first few minutes immediately had them up and cruising.
For Chelsea, this season hasn’t been plain sailing. The squad has been rocked by the losses of Sam Kerr and Mia Fishel to season-ending ACL injuries, as well as Millie Bright missing five months with her own knee problem. Catarina Macario had to wait until March for her debut, while Lauren James saw her season curtailed during the run-in. The Blues needed to go big in January just to plug gaps with Mayra Ramirez, the difference against United, and Nathalie Bjorn.
Then there was the added pressure of Hayes’ long goodbye, announcing in November her planned departure to become new head coach of the United States Women’s National Team. Great Manchester United and Liverpool men’s sides of 2002 and 2024 respectively have struggled in such circumstances, but Chelsea still managed to grind it out and get over the line.
“I almost can’t believe we won the title,” Hayes, also confessing herself to be “exhausted” as 12 years at the club ends, reflected in the Old Trafford press conference room.
“Losing the volume of leadership we have at the back and up top, I think did take its toll. Plus, transitioning of new players, young players and diminishing role of the some of the senior players. That’s why think this was the best title. We’re not stupid, we know we weren’t at our best, but for us to win the title…wow.”
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