Women’s Super League

EMMA HAYES believes Chelsea’s title-winning chase this season has been her hardest after leading her side to a fourth successive league crown. Sam Kerr’s brace and Guro Reiten’s skillful strike paved the way for the Blues’ 3-0 win against Reading with the Royals relegated to the Women’s Championship. 
Emma Hayes hailed Chelsea for finding different ways to win after the Blues lifted their sixth WSL titleCredit: Getty
Hayes described Chelsea’s triumph as a victory for her backroom staff as well as her team but said she was sad to see Kelly Chambers’ side relegatedCredit: PA
Chelsea notched up 19 wins in 22 WSL games on their way to winning the titleCredit: Getty
Chelsea’s sixth title win came in a season that saw Hayes absent from the dugout for a period with the head coach recovering from an emergency hysterectomy. 
Her players maintained their winning streak during that spell, with Blues assistant Denise Reddy and general manager Paul Green on the touchline and Hayes in touch with them remotely.
And their domestic form picked up following their gaffer’s return. 
Towards the end of the season the team won their last seven games across all competitions scoring 25 goals and conceding just once. 
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During that run the Blues lifted the FA Cup for a fifth time.
And their only domestic losses this term occurred against Liverpool in the league in September, and to Arsenal in the Conti Cup final in March.
Hayes, 46, said: “This has definitely been the hardest year.
“I’m relieved that it’s over, for lots of reasons.
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“I’m actually a bit sad because winning the league and relegating a friend doesn’t feel good in my soul, with who I am. 
“It’s a victory for the team because my backroom staff have carried me in so many different ways this year. 
“They’ve been unbelievable, particularly in the first part of the season when I was unwell. 
“The team has carried each other and the senior players who didn’t play as much.
“I think other seniors picked them up, and the second half of the season we saw so many of our newer players start to bear fruit. 
“We found different ways to win, and you have to, it can’t look the same all the time.”
Chelsea’s title triumph saw them break the record for the most wins in a season by a WSL side with the team winning 19 of their 22 games this term. 
One of their standout performers this term has been Norway forward Reiten who has notched up nine goals in the WSL this term. 
Hayes added: “Guro deserves to be recognised as one of the best players in the world because she is
 “She’s my player of the season. She’s unreal and exceptional. She’s really grown up and become a leader in this team.
“I think (for us) when you’re always chasing the whole year, because you lose the first game and then games are cancelled.
“It almost felt like the pressure wasn’t on us in many ways, because we were never in the front position for long. 
“This year we knew we had to dig out results sometimes when we didn’t create many chances, those sort of things. 
“It’s just unbelievable character from the players to do that. 
“I think it’s the same off the pitch, my staff have been unreal at keeping the team ticking along.”
Reading’s loss sees Kelly Chambers’ side return to the Championship for the first time since 2015.
The Royals have previously been one of the WSL’s most resilient sides achieving mid-table finishes in recent years, 
Under Chambers, who is a mum-of-one and pregnant with her second child, the team finished fourth in 2018. 
However injuries to players including Rachel Rowe and forward Deanne Rose has seen them struggle in recent months. 
Royals boss Chambers  said: “When you’re trying to compete with the teams in and around us this season, it was always going to get harder and harder every season, especially when you haven’t had the investment to keep up with those teams. 
“We are where we are now. It will hurt, especially for someone like myself who’s been here for so long.
“It’s a case of reset, rebuild and go again.”
Reading’s relegation comes in a year that has seen the club’s men’s side drop down from the Championship to League One. 
On whether the women’s team will remain a full-time outfit, Chambers added: “I hope so.
“We’ve got players and staff who are still with us in full-time capacity, so yeah, that’s what I want to happen.
Kelly Chambers says Reading will be focused on a reset and rebuild following their relegationCredit: Getty
“If we want to be a team who competes and bounces back in the championship that’s the way the championship is going now.
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“If you are going to be in that league and you want to compete, you’ve got to be in that set-up.
“They’re the plans I’ve put forward so fingers crossed that the club can support us doing that.” More

KELLY SMITH is backing Arsenal to bounce back from their injury struggles and their younger stars to shine next term. And the Gunners legend, 44, reckons this season’s WSL title and relegation battles have made it one the most enthralling. 
Arsenal will host Aston Villa in their final game of the WSL season at 2:30 pm todayCredit: Getty
Centre-back Rafaelle is set to make her final appearance for the club with the Brazil star leaving Arsenal this summerCredit: Getty
Kelly Smith believes Arsenal will grow and ‘kick on’ following the injury issues they have faced this seasonCredit: Getty
Reading and Chelsea will go head-to-head in a game likely to decide who will be crowned WSL champions and which side drops into the Championship. 
Three points for the Blues would guarantee them a fourth successive WSL crown under boss Emma Hayes.
And a Royals victory could potentially see Kelly Chambers’ side, who are bottom, win their battle to beat the drop if Leicester lose or draw with Brighton. 
Smith, who is a Barclays WSL ambassador, told SunSport: “It’s been so exciting because it’s all come down to the last day. 
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“Whether it’s Man United or Chelsea winning, or whether it’s Leicester or Reading going down, it’s been the most competitive season. 
“Kelly Chambers is a really good manager and she’s been in the league for a long time and Reading have been a mid-table team. 
“But they’ve just fallen away as the season has gone on. 
“It’s going to be a miracle needed for them to turn that around and beat a team that’s hungry to win a third title.”
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A Reading defeat of Chelsea could also pave the way for Manchester United to lift the title for the first time should Marc Skinner’s team beat Liverpool. 
Their clash at Prenton Hall  is one of six fixtures taking place later on the final day of this WSL season. 
Of Skinner and Man United’s efforts, Smith added: “He’s done an incredible job, particularly defensively. 
“He’s made them really sound and they’ve got the best defensive record in the WSL. 
“The partnership between Hayley Ladd and Katie Zelem has been exceptional in the middle and they’ve got goals coming from everyone.
Smith reckons Manchester United have become more defensively sound under Marc SkinnerCredit: PA
“They’ve done exceptionally well beating Arsenal back-to-back this season and winning against Man City. You can see there’s belief.”
Last month saw Smith return to her old side to take up a coaching role working until the end of this term. 
Her work with the Gunners has come in a season in which the team have been contending with injuries to key players including Kim Little, Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema. 
Smith, who lifted four league titles and five FA Cups with Arsenal, said: “It’s been tough for them losing so many key players to long-term injuries. 
“It’s been psychologically difficult for the squad but they’ve worked with a sport psychologist and other players have stepped up.
“Lotte Wubben-Moy has been quality at the back.
“And younger players coming in like Katherine Kuhl and Victoria Pelova have got a lot more game time. 
“When you consider those we’ve lost (to injuries) like Kim Little, Lia Walti, Beth Mead, Viv Miedema – those players probably wouldn’t have got a lot of match time.
“They would have been coming off the bench to be impact players.
“They certainly will grow from this and will kick on next season. 
“I expect next season to be even better for Arsenal. I see it day-in, day-out with the quality in this squad.
“They really get what Jonas (Eidevall) wants from them.”
Smith was in the dugout when the Gunners battled Wolfsburg in a Champions League second-leg semis watched by a record Emirates crowd. 
And while they fell to a 3-2 loss being at the ground filled with more than 60,000 fans was an unforgettable experience. 
Smith, who won the contest in 2007 with Arsenal,  added: “It is goosebumps stuff really
“Walking out as a former player and now a coach and just looking around, it’s just like ‘wow, this is unreal’. 
Smith expects her old club and Chelsea to push on in Europe next term following their run to the Champions League semi-finals this season.   
She said: “Chelsea and Arsenal are getting closer given they have reached the semi-finals. 
Smith hopes to see bigger crowds at women’s games next season following some record turnouts this termCredit: Getty
“Our players certainly learned a lot throughout their campaign playing at the Emirates.
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“There’s going to be new players coming in for next season. 
“Top players want to be playing Champions League football. If Arsenal can secure that it’s a major bonus for the club.” More

EMMA HAYES insists Chelsea’s focus is on what they can control in their bid to be crowned WSL champions for a fourth successive season. The Blues manager is preparing her team to face a Reading side ‘fighting for their lives’ with the Royals aiming to avoid relegation.
Chelsea will be a targeting a win that would see them clinch a third successive league and FA Cup doubleCredit: PA
A win against Chelsea for bottom-placed Reading could see them remain in the WSL if Leicester draw with or lose to BrightonCredit: Getty
Emma Hayes hopes to steer Chelsea a fourth WSL title win on the bounceCredit: Getty
Saturday’s match is one of six end-of-season clashes, all kicking off at 2:30 pm.
The result of this encounter and Manchester United’s duel with Liverpool will decide whether the Blues retain the title, or if the Red Devils win it for the first time in their history. 
Hayes said: “We respect that we’re facing a team fighting for their lives for a manager I know very well. 
“For us, we have to take care of all the right things. 
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“When I think back to every campaign (where we’ve won the title), we’ve only ever won the league by a couple of points at the best.
“This is just business as usual for us”.
A Chelsea away victory would see them claim a third successive league and FA Cup double.  
And three points for Kelly Chambers’ Royals would see them leap out of the drop zone if rivals Leicester fail to beat Brighton. 
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Last season Chelsea lost 1-0 on the road to Reading with Canada forward Deanne Rose netting the winning goal.
However Hayes says that defeat will not enter her players’ minds in their duel with the Royals. 
The Blues chief added: “We don’t think about that. We’re in a position to control the outcome.
“Everybody behind the scenes (staff and players) have worked so hard to get to this point.
“The focus, the concentration and consistency is all I’ve been interested in with them all week, to make sure that we’re in a position to perform. 
“Everybody knows their roles and tasks and we’re in the best mindset. 
Should Chelsea lose and Man United beat the Reds away, Marc Skinner’s side will become WSL champions for the first time in their history. 
On whether she will keep an eye on United’s score, Hayes said: “I might ask at halftime but for the most part I will focus on just what we were in control of.
“If I need to ask in the second half then I will do but I don’t think about it.
“I just think about getting off to the right start.”
A Reading loss would see them drop out of the top-flight eight years on from winning promotion to the WSL.” 
Royals head coach Chambers said: “As tough as the challenge ahead is for us, it is a game of football. 
“We are where we are and for different reasons, and honest conversations have happened.
“As much as it is a hard position to be in right now, the players have really attacked the week in a positive mindset to try to do everything they can for the weekend.
“We are still in the fight. We have to leave everything out there.”
Between 2018 and 2022 the Royals have been a solid mid-table side with the team finishing fifth three years ago.
This term the club have struggled with injuries including forward Rose sidelined with an Achilles issue last September.
Deanne Rose netted for Reading when they beat Chelsea 1-0 in the league in December 2021Credit: Reuters
The Canada ace made her return with a 60th minute substitute appearance during Reading’s 4-1 loss to Tottenham last time out. 
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Chambers added: “Deanne gives us a completely different dimension to the squad that we haven’t had all season. 
“What we saw (from her) against Tottenham is what we’ve missed this season. More

EMMA HAYES saluted Magda Eriksson’s fairytale finish to her Blues spell as Chelsea made it a tough day for Arsenal with their 2-0 win. The Sweden star’s first – and potentially last – WSL goal helped move her side within touching distance of a fourth successive title.
Magda Eriksson doubled Chelsea’s lead against Arsenal with her last goal for the team at KingsmeadowCredit: Getty
Eriksson and Pernille Harder are set to make their final Chelsea appearances in the Blues last WSL game next SundayCredit: Getty
Emma Hayes’ players will face Reading in their final game this seasonCredit: Getty
The Blues’ home victory saw them avenge their Conti Cup final loss to Arsenal.
It also derailed the Gunners’ top three hopes before Manchester City’s trip to neighbours Man United this evening. 
And Eriksson and Pernille Harder made their penultimate Blues appearance with the duo leaving Chelsea as free agents this summer. 
Hayes said: “This is so fitting (that) of course she’s scored today. 
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“Everybody wanted that fairytale for her. She has been our captain and leader. 
“I know the work that has gone on behind the scenes to get the team to where it is. 
I just looked onto the pitch and all I see is the years of work in the background. 
“The meetings, the analysis, the disagreements, the good times and the moments you’re sick looking at each other. 
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“It’s all of those things. And this team has a habit of peaking when it matters. 
There’s three senior leaders in our team (in Magda, Millie Bright and Maren Mjelde).
“I think it’s important that the baton is passed on through them.”
Stina Blackstenius went close to netting for Arsenal in the first halfCredit: Getty
Of Eriksson and Harder playing the final home game at Kingsmeadow, Hayes added: “They’ve had amazing years here and an amazing time. 
“They’re not going to be here (from next season) and we have had a chance to replace them with something different.
“It is not them, we can never do that. If there is going to be a separation, they want nothing more than to see Chelsea continuing to thrive. 
“On that end it’s been good. I respect them both so much as people. I’m proud of them.”
Before the game Jonas Eidevall spoke of Arsenal needing to “keep the ball well” if they were to stand a chance of beating their rivals. 
While possession was fairly even in the first half it was Emma Hayes’ side who were the most ruthless in front of goal. 
Blues warning signs came as early as the 10th minute with Sam Kerr seeing a goal disallowed as offside. 
Moments later Stina Blackstenius threatened for the visitors going one-on-one with Ann-Katrin Berger forcing a fine block from the Blues goalkeeper. 
The hosts had the upper hand in the first half with four shots on target converting twice within 41 minutes. 
Guro Reiten slid home Chelsea’s opener following Eve Perisset’s cross in the 22nd minute.
Frida Maanum came close to bagging an equaliser with Berger having to claw the ball from dropping into the net after spilling.
And Eriksson made it 2-0 with a tap in after Kerr’s headed assist close to halftime.  
Eidevall altered things in the second spell with Steph Catley on for Kathrine Kuhl and the Gunners gaining the upper hand in attack. 
And they won a penalty that skipper Katie McCabe fired well wide of goal. 
The hosts weather pressure from Arsenal to go five points clear at the top.
And they could become champions if the Red Devils lose their clash with Manchester City this evening. 
A City win could also  put Arsenal’s Champions League qualification hopes in jeopardy with the race going to the wire. 
Jonas Eidevall’s side’s battle to qualify for the Champions League could go the last day of this season if Man City beat Man UnitedCredit: Getty
Gunners boss Eidevall said: “My mindset has been that we need to do everything in every single minute of the season to try to finish as high as possible. 

“Nothing changes because of today’s result.
“If we look at it in a positive way, it should be in our own hands in control of our own destiny and that is the preference.” More