Emma Hayes has conceded that Chelsea’s Women’s Super League title bid “is done” after the Blues suffered a dramatic 4-3 defeat at Liverpool.
The result leaves Chelsea six points behind leaders Manchester City with a game in hand, but the Blues have an eight-goal inferior goal difference.
Chelsea now need a favour from rivals Arsenal when the Gunners play City on Sunday.
Having been eliminated from the Women’s Champions League by Barcelona last weekend, Hayes looks set to end her final season in charge without a trophy. She is leaving in the summer to manage the US women’s national team.
“I think the title is done,” said Hayes. “Of course, mathematically it’s not, but I think the title is done. Our job between now and the end of the season is to keep pushing until the end, but I think it will be very difficult.”
Chelsea have won four straight WSL titles, but Hayes said the way they conceded four goals in the second half last night was “unforgiveable”.
After Liverpool’s captain Gemma Bonner had snatched an injury-time winner, Hayes said: “This team has done a tremendous job in my time here to really compete and push for titles.
“I don’t know if we have ever conceded four goals in a half before — three from set-pieces is just unforgiveable. But I’m going to credit Liverpool. They wanted it, they executed their gameplan. They delivered and from set-pieces they got goals.”
Chelsea were targeting a quadruple and a glorious send-off for Hayes, but they have had a nightmare month, losing the League Cup Final to Arsenal, losing in the FA Cup semi-finals and being eliminated from the Champions League.
Hayes, who has won 13 major trophies in 12 years at the club, said: “I have amazing memories, we won a lot of things and I’d love to win titles again for Chelsea. 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.
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“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.”
