Manchester United vs Chelsea LIVE: Result and reaction as Emma Hayes’ side win WSL title after thrashing

Manchester City beat Aston Villa but the Blues finished top of the Women’s Super League on goal difference

(REUTERS)

Chelsea travelled to Manchester United in the WSL finale, needing a win and to stay ahead of Manchester City on goal difference - and achieved it in style, thrashing Manchester United 6-0 at Old Trafford in Emma Hayes’ final game in charge.

Mayra Ramirez was the star of the show, scoring twice in an all-action display, but the Blues were best from start to finish and wrapped up the win, a new WSL scoring record and the title itself with a late goal from another departing icon in Fran Kirby.

After a testing couple of months, with defeat to rivals Arsenal in the League Cup final and a crushing loss to Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals, Chelsea have shown their resilience and came back to secure a famous title triumph. Follow all the reaction below:

WSL: Man Utd v Chelsea and Aston Villa v Man City updates

• GOAL! 2’ - Ramirez powers in a close-range header with Chelsea’s first attack (0-1)
• GOAL! 7’ - Ryyting Kaneryd gets in behind the defence to finish brilliantly into the corner (0-2)
• GOAL! 44’ - Nusken taps home the third minutes after coming on (0-3)
• GOAL! 45+1’ - Ramirez immediately powers past two defenders to smash in another (0-4)
• GOAL! 47’ - Leupolz stretches to score fifth straight after restart (0-5)
• GOAL! 84’ - Kirby scores off the bench in her final Chelsea appearance (0-6)
• Chelsea win WSL title after thrashing Manchester United

[18 May 2024 16:43 · Karl Matchett]

80’ - Man United 0-5 Chelsea

A couple of crosses into the box from the home team but nothing dangerous about them. This will be the lowest finish in the WSL’s history for Man United, fifth place. Even if they’d won today they’d finish there, as Liverpool ar enow 3-0 up at Leicester.

“We want six,” chant the Chelsea fans.

Double sub for United now. Riviere and Williams off, Evans and Parris on.

[18 May 2024 16:39 · Karl Matchett]

76’ - Man United 0-5 Chelsea

Chelsea lowered the tempo totally now, keeping the ball but not really pressing to do too much with it. They are 15 minutes plus stoppage time from lifting the WSL trophy.

Lauren Hemp has Man City back in front at Villa but it’s all irrelevant now, they’re not scoring seven more late on.

[18 May 2024 16:36 · Karl Matchett]

72’ - Man United 0-5 Chelsea

No shots this half for United. No shots on target at all in the game. Can they at least give the Old Trafford fans something to shout about in the last quarter of the game? Subs are on the way for visitors.

Lawrence for Reiten, Kirby for Cuthbert. Kirby’s final appearance for the Blues, as she’s off this summer.

[18 May 2024 16:32 · Karl Matchett]

68’ - Man United 0-5 Chelsea

Garcia booked for barging over Nusken who was breaking into the area. Free-kick just a metre outside the 18-yard line. Reiten over it this time...deflected off the wall and Earps gathers it up.

[18 May 2024 16:28 · Karl Matchett]

64' - Man United 0-5 Chelsea

If this wasn’t already all done, it is now surely - Rachel Daly has equalised for Aston Villa against Man City. Chelsea as it stands winning the league by two points, not just goals any more.

Villa 1-1 Man City

[18 May 2024 16:23 · Karl Matchett]

59 - Man United 0-5 Chelsea

That fifth for Chelsea broke their own goalscoring record for most strikes in a WSL season. One more goal for them and they break the all-time WSL record - they’re now level with Arsenal on 70.

Nusken is fouled by Garcia on the edge of the box and it’s a dangerous free-kick. Cuthbert is over it...clipped well over the bar.

[18 May 2024 16:21 · Karl Matchett]

55 - Man United 0-5 Chelsea

Sarina Wiegman is in the crowd. Maybe hoping for a bit of Lauren James this afternoon but no sign of her yet.

Ingle and Beever-Jones come on though now for Ramirez and Leupolz.

Quick updates from elsewhere:

Man City still winning, but only 1-0 at Villa. Alessia Russo has two goals but Kim Little missed a penalty, Arsenal 2-0 up. Liverpool lead 1-0 at Leicester, Spurs-West Ham are one apiece and Everton are hammering Bristol City 3-0.

[18 May 2024 16:17 · Karl Matchett]

50 - Man United 0-5 Chelsea

Ramirez almost gets in again, then she’s down with cramp. Also needs treatment to a foot injury by the looks of it. Onto the sidelines and Hayes wondering if she’ll need a second replacement - not just yet though. The forward is back on.

[18 May 2024 16:12 · Karl Matchett]

GOAL! 47’ - Man United 0-5 Chelsea

Incredible. United caught straight away after the restart and it’s five - at the fourth time of asking. Kaneryd got in first, Ramirez hit the post, Earps half-blocked an effort, United still didn’t clear and eventually it’s Leupolz who stretches out a boot to divert Reiten’s cut-back into the far corner.

[18 May 2024 16:10 · Karl Matchett]

46’ - Man United 0-4 Chelsea

Mannion on for Blundell in one change for Man United. We are back underway for the second half! She goes right-back, Riviere to the left.