As the season drew to a close, Chelsea geared up to face Manchester United at Old Trafford. In need of crucial points, Chelsea looked for a win over Marc Skinner’s side to lift the Women’s Super League trophy for the fifth season in a row, marking the end of a successful reign for Emma Hayes with the Blues.

Lifting the FA Cup trophy last weekend, Marc Skinner made one change to his squad with Melvine Malard replacing Leah Galton due to injury.

Emma Hayes made three changes from Chelsea’s midweek clash with Tottenham Hotspur, with Jess Carter, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Mayra Ramirez in the starting line up. Similar to midweek, Zecira Musovic is the selected goalkeeper. Every goal was important for Chelsea as they headed into the game, sitting level on points with Manchester City with a 4 goal advantage in goal difference.

MUN: Earps, Riviere, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell, Garcia, Naalsund, Toone, Zelem, Malard, Williams

CHE: Musovic, Charles, Bright, Bjorn, Carter, Cuthbert, Leupolz, Reiten, Rytting Kaneryd, Ramirez, Macario

Only a minute and a half into the game, a perfectly placed Guro Reiten cross from the left wing found Mayra Ramirez in the box who headed home to open the score sheet.

As the match kicked off again, Chelsea looked to assert early dominance over Manchester United, however United seemed to find a defensive rhythm.

Manchester United were beginning to find their feet, however,  Mayra Ramirez picked up the ball in midfield, playing a through ball to Rytting Kaneryd who slotted the ball into the net past Mary Earps. 

Chelsea had their eyes on sealing the trophy, with a third chance to score through Rytting Kaneryd who ran down the right channel, delivering the ball to the feet of Guro Reiten in the box. However, Reiten was unable to find her feet to score.

Manchester United’s first chance of the game came in the 18th minute, with Katie Zelem finding the head of Maya Le Tissier who sent the ball towards goal. Hitting the crossbar, Chelsea cleared the ball from their box.

As the teams settled into the match, neither seemed to form a convincing attack on goal.

Chelsea made a change in the 40th minute, with Catarina Macario leaving the pitch due to injury. She was replaced by Sjoeke Nusken who slotted into the attacking line with ease. She made an instant impact for Chelsea, scoring their third goal in the 43rd minute.

Mayra Ramirez out paced Millie Turner on the right wing, delivering a low cross to the feet of Sjoeke Nusken who found herself unmarked in the box. Nusken easily slotted the ball into the net giving Chelsea a 3-0 win.

As the first half drew to a close, Rytting Kaneryd delivered the ball to Mayra Ramirez who charged into the box unmarked, easily finding the back of the net. Chelsea ended the first half with a 4-0 lead over Manchester United, with the title all but secured.

Moving into the second half, Manchester United looked to bring a new inspiration into the squad with Aoife Mannion replacing Hannah Blundell.

Chelsea started the second half strongly with a chance from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd saved by Mary Earps. As the ball hit the post, Guro Reiten picked it up, cutting it back into the feet of Melanie Leupolz who burried Chelsea’s fifth goal into the net.

Chelsea made two changes in the 56th minute, with goal scorer Mayra Ramirez being replaced by Aggie Beever-Jones. Emma Hayes also made changes to her midfield with Sophie Ingle replacing scorer of Chelsea’s fifth goal, Melanie Leupolz.

Marc Skinner made two changes to his Manchester United side, with Geyse Ferreira and Hinata Miyazawa replacing Lisa Naalsund and Melvine Malard.

Chelsea continued to dominate the game, denying Manchester United any chance of making an attack on goal.

The 71st minute saw Fran Kirby enter the pitch for her final appearance in a Chelsea shirt replacing Erin Cuthbert. Ashley Lawerence also came on as a subsitiute, replacing Guro Reiten.

Manchester Untied made a final two chances, with Rachel Williams and Jayde Rivere being replaced by Nikita Parris and Gemma Evans. They proved to have an impact in the squad, as Manchester United began to form an attack against Chelsea.

Moving into the final ten minutes of the match, Chelsea looked to silence any chance that Manchester United had to keep their 5-0 lead.

The 84th minute saw Fran Kirby score in a perfect ending to her final game for Chelsea. She took the ball towards the box, cutting it back to Sophie Ingle, who put a through ball to Fran Kirby who slotted it past Mary Earps.

Manchester United had a final chance on goal, with Lucia Garcia recieving the ball in the box. Shooting on the volley, she sent it just over the crossbar.

As the Chelsea fans sung ‘Champions of England’ throughout Old Trafford, only five minutes of added time stood between Chelsea and the Women’s Super League title. Chelsea slowed the game down in order to control the final moments of the game.

The final whistle blew at Villa Park, securing Chelsea’s fifth league title in a row. With only two minutes left of additional time, the Chelsea substitutes celebrated on the sidelines.

As the final whistle blew, Chelsea won the Women’s Super League, as manager Emma Hayes ended her reign at Chelsea in style.