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 17:40 · Karl Matchett]

WSL LIVE - CHELSEA WIN TITLE

That’s it - the WSL season comes to a close and Chelsea are champions again. We leave you with the celebratory pictures and Jamie Braidwood’s report from Old Trafford below. And we’ll be back for another title finale tomorrow from the Premier League!

(REUTERS)

(REUTERS)

(Getty Images)

[18 May 2024 17:30 · Karl Matchett]

Chelsea and Emma Hayes find a stunning new way to celebrate the inevitable

Emma Hayes pumped her fist for one last time, long after the tension of the afternoon had turned into celebration. After 12 years, Hayes will leave Chelsea as champions of England for the fifth season in a row, a dynasty of domestic dominance sealed with a crushing 6-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. For that, Hayes has Mayra Ramirez to thank. The striker was unstoppable, shattering the tension of the final day and taking the title race away from Manchester City, Chelsea’s closest challengers. City had to beat Aston Villa and overturn Chelsea’s goal difference to end their dominance, but Ramirez turned their mission into an impossible task. City were beaten in the race before full-time confirmed that Chelsea were champions once again.

And so, after a season full of twists and turns, the Women’s Super League finished with a familiar look: Chelsea as champions, the packed away section at Old Trafford serenading Hayes and her players. Hayes rallied one last performance that encapsulated Chelsea’s relentless. They were ruthless and clinical while Manchester United, having won the FA Cup last weekend, salvaging their season and perhaps taking the edge off this final game, were ripped apart by Ramirez, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Guro Reiten.

Jamie Braidwood’s report from Old Trafford:

[18 May 2024 17:20 · Karl Matchett]

WSL LIVE - CHELSEA WIN TITLE

Hayes and Bright, one final time - the duo lift the trophy on the Old Trafford pitch, in front of their travelling fans, and Chelsea are champions once more. A couple of deep breaths there from Kirby too after those celebrations, not sure if there are tears but emotion? Plenty of it!

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

[18 May 2024 17:14 · Karl Matchett]

WSL LIVE - CHELSEA WIN TITLE

The Chelsea players are receiving their medals on the pitch now, a long line of them, players from today and those sidelined, injured, too. Trophy presentation coming up!

(Getty Images)

[18 May 2024 17:12 · Karl Matchett]

WSL LIVE - CHELSEA WIN TITLE

Chelsea captain Millie Bright speaks at full-time:

“It was pretty special! When half the country writes you off but we’ve got the monster mentality and we took our second chance. It was a five-star performance to take the title and it was extra special because Emma (Hayes) is leaving us.

“It’s been an emotional season, we have to stick together and I’m speechless.”

Mayra Ramirez - two goals, two assists today - is named player of the match.

[18 May 2024 16:59 · Karl Matchett]

FT - CHELSEA WIN THE WSL TITLE!

There goes the final whistle and Emma Hayes has claimed yet another WSL title in her final game! And in amazing style.

Full time result - Man United 0-6 Chelsea.

[18 May 2024 16:56 · Karl Matchett]

90+3’ - Man United 0-6 Chelsea

Full time in the other game, which ultimately affected nothing because Chelsea were electric early on: Aston Villa 1-2 Man City.

The Blues will claim the title on goal difference.

[18 May 2024 16:54 · Karl Matchett]

90’ - Man United 0-6 Chelsea

Five minutes added on. The celebrations can very much begin now though.

[18 May 2024 16:52 · Karl Matchett]

88’ - Man United 0-6 Chelsea

Garcia has a rare sight of goal at the far post but blazes over the bar, United’s best chance of the match probably. At the other end Beever-Jones beats two but then is caught between crossing and shooting and kind of does neither. Into the final minutes of the campaign.

[18 May 2024 16:49 · Karl Matchett]

GOAL! 84’ - Man United 0-6 Chelsea

Written in the stars! Neat interplay in the right channel and Fran Kirby bursts into the box, one on one with Earps... and coolly slots the ball bottom corner!

Six for Chelsea, Kirby on the scoresheet on her final appearance...and a new WSL record for most goals in a season.