Chelsea Women’s team was on top of the league and in real contention for doing the quadruple – until it all came crashing down. It seemed like just weeks after Emma Hayes, the Chelsea coach, made controversial statements in post-match press conferences, the fever dream of the club winning all four trophies was a pipe dream.
Chelsea was on top of the league and in contention to win the FA Cup, progress in the Champions League, and secure another domestic trophy for the cabinet. That is, until it all but imploded.
Chelsea Women’s Title Race Squashed by Liverpool FC
We’ll keep fighting. 👊 pic.twitter.com/ixVcu5k6rT
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) May 1, 2024
Chelsea faced off against Liverpool yesterday in the Women’s Super League to see if they could remain on top of the table and keep their title hopes alive. The match stats show a huge battle between the two teams to see who could score first, fight off the other team’s attempts, and come out on top.
Chelsea had more than 60% possession and 12 attempts, but Liverpool’s 39% possession and eight attempts on target were enough to seal the deal. Chelsea struck first in the game in just the 9th minute off of a corner. Clark was in charge of keeping an eye on Beever-Jones, but the aerial threat headed home the ball into the corner.
However, Liverpool broke through in the 51st minute with Sophie Haug, as she jumped higher than the stalwart Chelsea defender, Millie Bright, and headed a ball home past the England keeper, Hampton. The Reds kept the energy going off an Erin Cuthbert own goal, a dramatic moment for a Scottish player who has been such a key figure for Emma Hayes’ side this year. Bonner wins the corner and heads the ball into Cuthbert, as she watches it trickle by her keeper.
The drama was far from over as Beever-Jones netted yet another goal right before the 80th minute. Reiten played a perfect pass to Niamh Charles who cut a cross back to find the clinical player on the edge of the box who smashed it home. The game was now 2-2 in the 80th minute.
With just ten minutes to play, both teams were going for it now. Less than 60 seconds later, Leanne Kiernan, the Irish international, slotted home a pass from Holland after a fantastic build-up play to see the Merseyside team take the lead 3-2.
But, fans would have to stay out of their seats, as Liverpool had an own goal called against them one minute later. Cuthbert drove a low and hard ball into the box to Macario. Her shot ricocheted off of Micah and rolled into the net for an own goal. The game was then tied 3-3 with just eight minutes of regular time left to play.
The entire stadium was on their feet for the last ten minutes of the game, each willing their respective side to win. The deciding goal would come in the first minute of extra time. Liverpool had a corner in the dying seconds of the game and Bonner rose highest to the ball to head home a pinpoint-accurate corner against her former team.
Also Read: Leicester City Affirm Championship Dominance With Strong 3-0 Win
What is Next for Chelsea FC
Chelsea, after their most recent loss to Liverpool, now sit in second place in the title race. Manchester City are one game ahead in the FA WSL, but they sit 6 points higher than the Blues. If Chelsea had won their last game, they would have been within a one-game win of chasing City. But, after dropping three points, they may have let the title race fall out of reach.
Chelsea play Bristol City next week, a game that should be a sure-fire win. Manchester City play Arsenal at home, which could see an upset. If City loses, and Chelsea wins, it could potentially come down to the final day of the season. Chelsea play Manchester United and Man City play Aston Villa.
Who will win the FA WSL this year?
About the Author
Emma is an athlete and sports fan who currently plays professional soccer. Growing up, she reached a high level in track and field, distance running, and soccer on both club and university teams.
