Chelsea win WSL title: Emma Hayes' 'toughest' league triumph

Original source (on modern site) | Article images: [1]

Emma Hayes says Chelsea's fifth successive Women's Super League title has been "the toughest, without doubt".

An emphatic 6-0 victory at Manchester United on the final day of the season meant they beat Manchester City to the crown on goal difference.

Hayes, 47, signed off her reign with a seventh WSL title after 12 years as Chelsea manager.

"I can't say it's my most enjoyable but it's definitely been the toughest, without doubt, and for that reason probably the sweetest," she told Sky Sports.

"I'm just so relieved it's over.

"The hardest thing to do is five in a row because people take their eye off the ball. My legacy is winning while building a team for the future."

Hayes will become manager of the United States women's team before this summer's Olympic Games in Paris.

In addition to her seven league titles with Chelsea, she has won five FA Cups, two League Cups and a Community Shield during her Blues career.

Reflecting on her time at Chelsea, Hayes told BBC Sport: "I don't think I have the words really. I am full with a ton of different emotions.

"Knowing it is the end and I won't be with this team or these fans again... but they're always in my heart.

"I am ready, I have given everything I've got. [I am] ready for my next adventure."

As well as Hayes' impending exit, Chelsea have also have to overcome the loss of a number of key players to injury.

Perhaps the most glaring loss was striker Sam Kerr, who has been out since January with after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

"In the moments that really matter, we find a way," midfielder Erin Cuthbert told BBC Sport. "We've never really backed down from a challenge.

"The fans have been with us from the start, they've been incredible this year.

"There have been a few rough moments, this title has taken about 10 years off my life if I'm being deadly honest.

"The hardest one yet, the sweetest one yet, so I'm going to enjoy tonight."

England forward Fran Kirby, who is also leaving Chelsea this summer, came off the bench to score her side's sixth and final goal in her farewell appearance.

"It was great," she said. "We knew coming here that we had to put in a performance.

"The girls blew it away in the first half, they were incredible and everything they did turned into goals.

"It is nice to come into a game like that where you can relax and just express yourself, and just be a part of it."

Captain Millie Bright has been with Chelsea for all seven of their titles under Hayes, and the England defender says their latest trophy shows why they should not be underestimated.

"It was pretty special but when half the country writes you off - we've got the monster mentality, we've shown it season after season," she told Sky Sports.

"We were given a second chance. They don't often but you have to take them and we did. We beat Bristol City, beat Tottenham and we've come here and put on a five-star performance to take this title.

"It's extra special to get it for Emma [Hayes] and the players who are leaving us.

"We were up against a tough opponent and we needed a 10-out-of-10 performance. Every player was incredible.

"That's our standards. We shouldn't be underestimated to make this sort of comeback because we're defending champions."

Cuthbert added: "I don't know how many times people have written us off this season and, to be honest, we have probably thought we've been down and out ourselves at times as well. But we always find a way."