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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

Karl Matchett
Saturday 18 May 2024 17:29 BST
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(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:

Ht - Man United 0-4 Chelsea

All smiles, all Chelsea. Another half to go but with Man City only a goal up, the Blues know they are almost there.

(Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
(The FA via Getty Images)
Karl Matchett18 May 2024 16:09

Ht - Man United 0-4 Chelsea

An absolute cruise for Chelsea - they have dominated and they have been relentless. Four up at the break and the title is just 45 minutes away for them.

Karl Matchett18 May 2024 15:55

45+4’ - Man United 0-4 Chelsea

Ramirez wants a first-half hat-trick! She’s played in but this time Le Tissier is more alert and strong enough to see off the striker.

United hurting and just trying to get to the break without further damage here.

Karl Matchett18 May 2024 15:53

GOAL! 45+1’ - Man United 0-4 Chelsea

Brilliant goal, awful defending! Ramirez picks it up on the edge of the box, flicks the ball up between Turner and Blundell, barges past them both - dreadful attempts to stop her - and absolutely hammers a finish past Earps into the far corner for 4-0 to Chelsea.

Sensational half from the visitors. Six minutes added on.

Karl Matchett18 May 2024 15:50

GOAL! 44’ - Man United 0-3 Chelsea

Surely that’s that! Another run down the right from Ramirez who outfoxes then outpaces Turner, she gets in the box, knocks it across the box to an unmarked Nusken...and it’s a totally open goal, four or five yards out, for a simple tap-in with just about her first touch!

Karl Matchett18 May 2024 15:46

40’ - Man United 0-2 Chelsea

The injury forces a change shortly before the break. Still 1-0 to Man City in that other game at the top.

Chelsea sub: Macario replaced by Sjoeke Nusken

Karl Matchett18 May 2024 15:43

36’ - Man United 0-2 Chelsea

All looking good for Emma Hayes on her final game in charge. She tells the players to keep their heads, keep concentration, but it’s comfortable at the moment.

Macario is down injured and needing a bit of treatment on the pitch.

Karl Matchett18 May 2024 15:40

32’ - Man United 0-2 Chelsea

Macario and Cuthbert combine in the right channel and almost open up United to deliver a dangerous ball into the box. Chelsea constantly feel on the verge of carving their opponents apart when they push players forward.

Karl Matchett18 May 2024 15:37

28’ - Man United 0-2 Chelsea

Man United certainly enjoying a lot more of the ball now, but you suspect that’s largely with Chelsea allowing them to. They’ve done the hard work getting in front, now they can afford to bide their time and look to hit the home side on the break. Chelsea have a good shape so far and Marc Skinner’s team cannot break them down.

Karl Matchett18 May 2024 15:31

24’ - Man United 0-2 Chelsea

Garcia has to leap and header back and behind herself to concede a corner, with three Chelsea attackers looking to pounce after a deep set-piece delivery. The resulting corner causes more chaos initially but the home side eventually clear.

So as it stands, Chelsea have earned themselves an even better position a quarter of the way through the final day - they are now three goals ahead on goal difference, plus they’ve scored more goals.

Karl Matchett18 May 2024 15:27

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