Chelsea Women’s Super League title hopes suffered a significant setback following a 4-3 defeat to Liverpool, as stated by Chelsea manager Emma Hayes. Despite a strong first-half showing, Chelsea ultimately struggled in the second half, marking their second loss in four days. With a six-point deficit behind WSL leaders Manchester City and only three matches left, Hayes expressed her belief that Chelsea’s chances of securing the title were slim.
The match began positively for Chelsea, as Aggie Beever-Jones netted a goal in the ninth minute, providing hope for a fifth consecutive WSL title. However, Liverpool’s strong comeback in the second half resulted in a tumultuous game, with Sophie Roman Haug equalizing and Gemma Bonner securing the game-winning header in injury time.
In the aftermath of the defeat, Hayes acknowledged Liverpool’s strong performance and emphasized the need for Chelsea to regroup. She also expressed disappointment in the recent setbacks, including their eliminations from the Champions League and FA Cup. Despite this, 20-year-old winger Beever-Jones reassured fans that Chelsea would continue to fight until the end of the season, highlighting the team’s resilience and determination.
Hayes also recognised the challenges ahead, particularly with her imminent departure from Chelsea to coach the United States women’s national team. She expressed confidence in Chelsea’s ability to bounce back and remain a top contender in the league. While disappointed by their recent losses, Hayes emphasised the team’s past successes and motivated them to finish the season on a positive note.
Looking ahead, Chelsea still has three games remaining in the season, and Beever-Jones affirmed the team’s commitment to competing until the very end. She acknowledged the tough battle they faced, but remained steadfast in the team’s aspirations to finish the season on a high note, proving that Chelsea is still a force to be reckoned with in the WSL.