Chelsea will head into the ultimate day of the season on high of the Ladies’s Tremendous League after Maika Hamano secured a nervy 1-0 win at Tottenham.
A fifth successive title stays in Emma Hayes’ aspect’s palms – they now sit above Manchester Metropolis on purpose distinction, with the Blues two targets higher off.
Hamano’s first-half strike, transformed on the again publish after sturdy work by Guro Reiten, was sufficient to safe a priceless three factors.
Chelsea have been removed from their greatest, inviting stress from Spurs within the second half and losing the few possibilities they created after the break – however their hosts have been unable to punish them.
The champions now head to Manchester United on Saturday – dwell on Sky Sports activities – realizing they may win yet one more WSL title in the event that they declare victory at Outdated Trafford – and Manchester Metropolis don’t overcome the goal-difference deficit once they go to Aston Villa.
How Chelsea held on in opposition to rivals to say important win
If Chelsea might have handpicked their opponents for a sport they merely needed to win to keep up their benefit within the title race, the statistics counsel they might effectively have picked Spurs.
Robert Vilahamn’s aspect have now misplaced all 9 of their WSL encounters with Chelsea and have been coming off a bruising 4-0 defeat to Manchester United within the FA Cup remaining on Sunday.
The guests began the sport impressively, swarming down Spurs’ proper flank all through the primary half, and they need to been awarded a penalty after simply eight minutes when Hamano’s shot was blocked by Luana Buhler’s outstretched arm.
Hamano was Chelsea’s most important menace and will have opened the scoring when she was picked out by Niamh Charles, however planted her diving header over the bar.
Hayes’ aspect have been denied one other penalty when Grace Clinton prevented punishment for grabbing Melanie Leupolz’s shirt from a set-piece, however Hamano lastly broke the impasse when she slid in to transform Reiten’s low cross.
There was concern for Spurs earlier than half-time when Amanda Nilden was stretchered from the sector after an innocuous collision with Hamano, with Vilahamn revealed she’s going to endure an X-ray on Thursday.
However the hosts rallied within the second half and will have scored via Ashleigh Neville, who powered over a first-time shot when a nook dropped her method.
Chelsea have been unconvincing for a lot of the second interval, with nerves maybe taking part in an element given they have been only one purpose from surrendering management of the title race to Metropolis.
The outcome might have been extra comfy for Chelsea, who missed a number of late possibilities – Fran Kirby’s wasteful effort being one of the best of the bunch.
However they did sufficient, with Hayes now having the prospect to win a seventh WSL title in her remaining sport as Chelsea supervisor.
Hayes wanting ahead to ‘becoming finale’
Emma Hayes’s remaining sport as Chelsea supervisor will probably be at Outdated Trafford on Saturday
Chelsea supervisor Emma Hayes advised BBC Sport:
“You have to work hard in every game in this league. I’ve been saying all year, the league has been getting more competitive. It’s a great product.
“Tottenham, on the again of a cup remaining, put in an important effort, particularly within the second half.
“Really happy with the performance, especially in the first half. We just might have to do a bit of shooting practice this week.”
Requested about Hamano’s influence in simply her sixth Chelsea sport, Hayes mentioned: “I’m not afraid to put young players in. We see players for the future and I’m very happy to see Maika getting in on merit – she’s been outstanding in training.
“She’s been scientific, getting targets in coaching. It doesn’t matter who you’re – you simply have to supply these performances.”
Hayes conceded the title after Chelsea’s defeat to Liverpool earlier this month however Metropolis’s late defeat to Arsenal reignited their hopes, and he or she mentioned: “We’ve bought the harder of the 2 video games – we’ve bought to go to Outdated Trafford. A becoming finale for me, with my remaining sport.
“As I said to the players, if someone gives you a second chance in life, make sure you don’t need a third one. We’re in the position we want to be in and we’ll give it everything on Saturday, no matter what.”
Vilahamn: We are able to compete with huge groups
Robert Vilahamn has guided Spurs to a sixth-place end within the WSL
Tottenham boss Robert Vilahamn advised BBC Sport:
“It’s a really good performance. We bounced back from the final and played some really good football.
“You may inform now we will compete in opposition to the highest groups. Pleased for the women however I need to win these video games – it isn’t this 12 months, it is subsequent 12 months.
“We want to keep taking every game we have to develop. We learned a lot today and took confidence.
“We need to rating targets and end on a excessive. We’re taking part in good soccer however we need to rating extra targets.”
What’s subsequent?
Tottenham finish the season with one other London derby once they host West Ham on Saturday; kick-off 3pm.
Chelsea journey to Outdated Trafford to face Manchester United on the ultimate day with the WSL title on the road; kick-off 3pm.
