Chelsea manager Emma Hayes conceded the Women’s Super League title after her side’s humiliating 4-3 defeat at the hands of Liverpool, meaning she will end her historic tenure at the Blues without a trophy.
The Blues suffered a horrific blow last month after defeats in the Champions League, FA Cup semi-final and Intercontinental Cup final, and their season got even worse, with Gemma Chelsea equalizing twice. Bonner scored the winning goal for Liverpool in stoppage time.
No WSL team has ever won the title after losing three games in a season and Hayes believes Manchester City, who are six points ahead with two games remaining and have played more than Chelsea, will win the league this season. a game.
“I have great memories of this football club, we won a lot and I would love to win another title for Chelsea. But I’m afraid it won’t be this year. My job now is to get the team ready for the last few games to continue to compete and enjoy.
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Watch highlights from the WSL match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Prenton Park
“We will never give up but the title is far away from us. It is not in our hands. Manchester City deserve it and their consistency has put them in this position. We will get to the end but I don’t think the title will be there this year. Here we are.
Chelsea led 1-0 at half-time through Aggie Beaver-Jones’ opener, but the Blues conceded four goals in the second half, three of which came from corner kicks, and Liverpool turned the game around.
Hayes refused to blame any of her players for the defeat as she saw her team reach the final stages in all four games.
“I’m not going to be harsh on the players, they have done a lot for this football club and me over the years,” she added.
“I know they want to win the title, but as far as I’m concerned, you can’t concede three set-pieces and four goals in half and expect to win a game. That’s why we failed, but in my case the players After everything I do, I treat them well, I don’t want to be too harsh on them.
Carney: Hayes is a defeatist – that’s not like her
Chelsea are currently five points behind WSL leaders Manchester City with a game in hand.
sky sports Pundit Karen Carney dismissed Hayes’ concession to the league title as “bizarre” and suggested the Chelsea boss’ early announcement played a role in her side’s late-season collapse.
Carney also compared Hayes’ situation to Jurgen Klopp’s at Liverpool. Klopp announced his end-of-season exit in January, with his side going from hopes of a quadruple to just one trophy.
“There are still games left, Arsenal still have to play Manchester City but you’ve told the world it’s over and it’s not like she usually does. I think it’s weird. Although I agree with her, I think it’s Manchester City the match of.
“Of course they’ve been through four games and injuries and I always felt Chelsea could find a way. But I didn’t feel that way today.
“There’s something in the psyche of Jurgen Klopp and Emma Hayes. There’s a lot of synergy, both announced they were leaving early and there was a subconscious feeling that they weren’t going to be there. It’s heartwarming. disturbed.
“It’s not ideal, you have to be happy playing football. All the noise affects the game. I do think her leaving early was a factor in the team. For someone who has not been perfect, but everyone is rooting for her. Every topic sometimes cannot have a perfect ending.
“I think you can’t ignore the elephant in the room. There’s so much that’s unusual. It feels different, it doesn’t feel right.”
Asked if the title race was over, Carney replied: “It’s not a sure result and Arsenal have a lot to say about it. I just think City performed well.”
“They were very consistent. Alex Greenwood and Lauren Hamp were outstanding. Overall, the feeling is back. Arsenal are going to make things difficult.”
“But Chelsea already have a defeatist side. It just says: ‘Man City are coming’ and they have to seize it now.”
