Chelsea boss Emma Hayes loving pressure of having WSL title race in her own hands - 'This is fun'
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Published 11/05/2023 at 10:47 GMT
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes says the WSL title race is "fun for me" despite facing a nerve-jangling end to the campaign. The Blues thrashed Leicester City 6-0 on Wednesday to move one point behind leaders Manchester United, who they face in the FA Cup final on Sunday. Champions Chelsea have their fate in their own hands, though, as they have a game in hand over United.
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Chelsea manager Emma Hayes insists she finds the pressure of a title race "fun" after a thumping win over Leicester City left the champions with their Women’s Super League title fate in their own hands.
Hayes’ side demolished the Foxes 6-0 at Kingsmeadow, with Pernille Harder netting a brace and Guro Reiten, Erin Cuthbert, Lauren James and Jelena Cankovic also on the scoresheet.
Victory sent Chelsea one point behind WSL leaders Manchester United, but they have a game in hand and are therefore in charge of their own destiny with three games remaining.
"I like this position, I like putting pressure on others. I don't mind being there, but this is fun for me," Hayes said.
“We have always been chasing this whole year, always been a game or two behind. It's nice to finally close the gap and now it's about putting Man United under pressure because we're not in the driving seat, we're still in second.”
Chelsea have the chance to beat their title rivals to silverware before the conclusion of the WSL season.
They face United at Wembley on Sunday in the FA Cup final, and Hayes believes her side go into the game in perfect shape after a three-match winning run in which they have scored 15 goals.
“We have had to find ways to win without being scintillating, but I think our confidence is really high right now. We're in the best place we've probably been in all season,” Hayes said.
"I know what I want to do for Sunday. I know exactly how we want to play, I'm happy with the whole team, the team are playing well.”
The mauling of the Foxes also saw Chelsea draw level on goal difference with United, which could yet prove crucial, but Hayes wasn’t paying much attention to the numbers.
"I'll let the analysts and the boffins worry about that and whether that will make a difference. We won't know until the end,” she said.
"I like this stage of the season and I think we're in a great rhythm. We certainly go into the cup final on Sunday full of confidence."
Elsewhere on Wednesday, Arsenal thrashed Brighton 4-0 thanks to a Stina Blackstenuius double and goals from Frida Maanum and Victoria Pelova, all coming before half time.
The three points sent the Gunners into the third and final Champions League spot, ahead of Manchester City on goal difference.
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