Emma Hayes, the manager of Chelsea’s women’s football team, expressed her disappointment after her side’s 4-3 defeat to Liverpool in the Women’s Super League. Despite holding a 1-0 lead at halftime, Chelsea lost control in the second half and suffered their second defeat in four days.
Hayes admitted that the title race is effectively over for her team, although mathematically they still have a chance. With six points behind league leaders Manchester City and only three matches remaining, it will be a difficult task for Chelsea to make up the deficit.
The match against Liverpool seemed to be going well for Chelsea initially, with Aggie Beever-Jones scoring in the ninth minute. However, Liverpool turned the game around in the last 40 minutes, with Sophie Roman Haug equalizing and Gemma Bonner scoring a crucial injury-time header to secure the victory for her team.
Hayes credited Liverpool for their determination and execution of their gameplan. She acknowledged that her team’s defensive performance was unacceptable, conceding three goals from set-pieces. This defeat comes as a blow to Chelsea, who had aspirations of winning a historic quadruple this season.
Since their League Cup final loss to Arsenal on March 31st, Chelsea has been eliminated from both the FA Cup and the Champions League at the semifinal stage. Despite these setbacks, Hayes emphasized the success that her team has achieved over the years and assured fans that Chelsea will continue to be competitive in women’s football.
Aggie Beever-Jones, a 20-year-old winger for Chelsea, remained optimistic despite the recent disappointments. She highlighted the unique challenge that Chelsea faces, being involved in four competitions simultaneously. Beever-Jones believes that her team still has a fighting chance and will continue to give their all until the end of the season.
In conclusion, Chelsea’s defeat to Liverpool has dealt a significant blow to their title hopes in the Women’s Super League. Emma Hayes acknowledged the challenging task ahead but also expressed her confidence in Chelsea’s ability to bounce back. With three games remaining in the season, Chelsea will aim to end on a high note and prove their resilience.