Women's Super League: Emma Hayes concedes title to Manchester City after late Chelsea defeat

Departing Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has conceded defeat to Manchester City in this year’s Women’s Super League after her side lost 4-3 to Liverpool in a thriller on Wednesday night.

The defeat left the Blues six points adrift of City, who are on course to lift the title for the first time since 2016 with just two games to go.

It isn’t mathematically impossible for Chelsea, who have a game in hand, but they need their rivals to drop at least three points out of the six available to them.

Chelsea have won the last four WSL crowns but are set to be dethroned, meaning Hayes is likely to leave the club for the US national job on the back of a trophy-less campaign.

“I have amazing memories of this football club and we won a lot of things and I'd love to win titles again for Chelsea,” Hayes said.

“But that's not going to be this year I'm afraid. My job now is to prepare the team for the last few games to continue to compete and enjoy.

“We will never give up, but the title is far from us. It's not in our hands. City deserve it, their consistency has put them in that position.

“We will go to the end but I don't think the title will be heading to us this year.”

Chelsea led at half-time at Prenton Park thanks to Aggie Beever-Jones’ header in the ninth minute but came undone in a pulsating second period.

Sophie Roman Haug opened the scoring for the Reds shortly after the break to set up a frenetic finale. Twice Liverpool went ahead only to be pegged back as a draw loomed, but Gemma Bonner struck in injury time to seal the three points and cap off a torrid run of results for Chelsea.

The Blues were knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona, exited the FA Cup at the semi-final stage, and lost to Arsenal in the final of the Continental Cup.

“I'm not going to be harsh on the players, for years they have delivered a lot for this football club and for me,” Hayes added.

“And I know they want to win the title, but me being me, you can't concede three set-piece goals, four in a half and expect to win a game of football.

“That's why we're on the losing end, but I'm going to be kind on my players after everything they've done. I don't want to be too harsh on them.”

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