Chelsea boss Emma Hayes relishing ‘fantastic’ WSL title battle despite key Man City loss

The race for Women’s Super League glory is wide open with Manchester United and Arsenal also hunting trophy
Emma Hayes believes a four-way title battle is good news for the WSL
The FA via Getty Images

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes says it is “fantastic” that the Women’s Super League title race is set to go to the wire.

The top four in the WSL are separated by three points, after Manchester City beat Chelsea 2-0 on Sunday.

City are now joint-top with Manchester United, with Chelsea a point behind although they have a game in hand. Arsenal are two points off Chelsea after thumping ­Tottenham 5-1 on Saturday.

The ­Gunners also have a game in hand and face all three of the teams above them in the final seven matches.

“We have a game in hand and need to maximise it,” said Hayes. “It is fantastic for the League it is like this.

“City away is not easy. But I am not going to dig my girls out. My job now is to get the team recovered as quickly as possible.”

Chelsea’s defeat on Sunday came off the back of them winning 1-0 at Lyon on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Hayes believes that victory took its toll on her players, with City going 2-0 ahead inside the opening 30 minutes.

“It wasn’t a game of a million chances, but we were so sluggish first half,” said Hayes. “Third away game in a week, and it looked like it.”

Millie Bright should be fit to face Lyon in the return leg on Thursday after missing Sunday’s game with a knee issue.

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