Aston Villa 1-2 Man City: Visitors miss out on Women’s Super League title as Emma Hayes ensures Chelsea fairytale ending on final day

Gareth Taylor had said his Manchester City players would attack this match, but they could never have predicted how hard their title rivals would attack Manchester United.

There was a sense of expectation around Villa Park before kick-off. The WSL title was decided on the final day and with City and Chelsea tied on points, Chelsea’s superior goal difference of two goals seemed to be the only thing standing for Manchester City’s first league title in eight years. That and a defiant Aston Villa looking to give their outgoing manager, Carla Ward, a flying start.

Go out and score as many goals as possible was the directive – whatever Chelsea do, you’ll have to do three better.

But the jubilant mood of the sky blue contingent occupying the Holte End corner deteriorated more quickly than expected. Less than 10 minutes into the match, news had spread that Chelsea were two goals ahead in eight minutes and the hill had turned into a mountain to climb. City had yet to score a goal on target.

Mary Fowler scored City’s first goal a few minutes later to briefly lift morale, but City were still four goals short. By the time the half-time whistle blew, Chelsea were four up at Manchester and City were still just one, and it looked all but over for Gareth Taylor’s side.

Lauren Hemp scored the winner but her strike was in vain as Chelsea beat Manchester United

Things threatened to go from bad to worse when Rachel Daly equalized for Villa in the 69th minute, but City restored their lead through Lauren Hemp ten minutes later, and that’s how the score would stay.

This will seem like a particularly painful pill to swallow for City, as many felt they had one hand on the trophy a fortnight ago – they were three points clear in the title race with just two games remaining . Even Emma Hayes waved the white flag.

But perhaps it was his concession that tipped the scales. Perhaps Hayes knew it would take the pressure off his team and transfer it to City’s. After all, she is one of the most astute and successful managers in history, and she would have known the impact of her words.

Chelsea’s victory ensured Emma Hayes won another WSL title in her final match in charge of the club.

And then City’s 14-game unbeaten run ended with a dogged performance from Arsenal, and Chelsea turned the goal difference in their favor with their incredible 8-0 thrashing of Bristol City, taking us to today.

City were unable to match, let alone better, Chelsea’s scoreline, sending shot after shot at Villa goalkeeper Anna Leat. By the time the final whistle blew to end the match, City had 30 shots to Villa’s 6.

The players fell to the ground at the final whistle. The trophy would remain in the capital for another year.