Chelsea Women 8-0 Bristol City Women
Chelsea Men 5-0 West Ham United Men
It’s a rare day you see Chelsea win 13-0 – but last weekend after the men had beaten West Ham 5-0, the women won 8-0.
Something is stirring at both Stamford Bridge and Kingsmeadow in the dying days of the season. It’s frustrating though that it didn’t stir a month or two back, when it could have been pivotal.
The men’s victory at the Bridge – the second over London rivals in three days – means Mauricio Pochettino’s supposed end-of-season departure now looks unlikely.
The young team he has been developing has finally gelled. The football they create is now the most watchable in the top flight, and fans are buzzing.
Two tough away fixtures remain before the last game at the Bridge against Bournemouth. The first is against Nottingham Forest, who are in a survival battle and will be tough opponents at the City Ground.
WSL title in Chelsea’s hands
But last weekend’s real emotion was saved for Kingsmeadow where, for Emma Hayes’ final home game, a full house paid tribute to her 12 years of success. Two hours after the final whistle, fans were still standing in the gloom outside the stadium, hoping to say a last personal farewell to the gaffer.
After Arsenal Women’s surprise victory over WSL leaders Man City on Sunday, the stage was set for an extraordinary game at Kingsmeadow.
Hayes was arriving at the ground as the Gunners scored two late goals to beat City. In fact, she was parked outside the Fat Boys cafe in Kingston Road, with Lauren James on the phone, giving her a running commentary on the final moments!
Because of City’s vastly superior goal difference, the Blues had to not only beat relegated Bristol City, but thrash them.
In the end, Chelsea simply blew the visitors away, scoring eight, with back-in-form Guro Reiten netting four of them.
It’s in Chelsea’s hands now. Win their last two games well, and the title that looked lost after the surprise defeat by Liverpool could yet be retained.
All now hinges on the trip to play Spurs at Brisbane Road on Wednesday 15 May; the one remaining game in hand before all matches are staged simultaneously on the final day (18 May).
Emotional farewell for Emma Hayes
“Every win feels like a relief,” said Hayes after the game, following a tearful farewell on the pitch with son Harry (who turns six next week) by her side, in his Chelsea replica kit.
“With Chelsea it’s build, win, release, build, lose, recover. You go through a lot emotionally, mentally. I think we have journeyed a lot this year. Everyone’s wrote us off.
“You’d better buckle up, everyone, because we ain’t going to lay down easily! Not now; we’re alive!”
She’s moving to the States, to coach the USA national women’s team, and said that she doesn’t believe she’ll ever return to club football. And certainly not at anywhere but Chelsea.
“I can’t see I’ll ever work for another football club again – that’s how much I love this place,” she said. “It’s my home, it’s my family, it’s my community.”
She added that she’d had a phone chat with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to compare notes, as he’s in a similar position, leaving a club where he’s established, and idolised.
“I think it is ridiculous what everybody expects of a football manager. We are human beings we have lives,” she said.
Lyon coach Sonia Bompastor is expected to be taking over from Hayes, but as Bompastor is leading her team into the Women’s Champions League final against Barcelona on 25 May, a formal announcement is on hold.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
