Chelsea’s defeat to Liverpool has given Manchester City’s title hopes a huge boost. But they’re not over the line yet…
To claim the Women’s Super League title, City still require four points from their final two games of the season – at home to Arsenal on Sunday before a clash at Aston Villa on the final day, Saturday May 18.
The six-point cushion to second-placed Chelsea is substantial. And City have a superior goal difference – plus 46 compared to plus 38.
Chelsea, however, still have three games to play, the first of which will be at home to Bristol City on Sunday.
Given Bristol City have already been relegated, after collecting just six points all season, Chelsea will be massive favourites to win that game and significantly reduce their goal difference deficit to Man City.
But it’s also possible that City clinch the title as early as this weekend – City will be champions if they draw against Arsenal and Chelsea lose against Bristol City, or if City win against Arsenal and Chelsea draw.
If that doesn’t happen and the title race continues, Chelsea’s penultimate game is against Tottenham before a final-day meeting with Manchester United.
MAN CITY
Position: 1st
Points: 52
Goal difference: 46
Man City will have been celebrating on Wednesday night as much as the Liverpool players. Chelsea’s defeat on Merseyside has given them a cushion at the top of the table.
But, as outlined above, it’s not over yet.
CHELSEA
Position: 2nd
Points: 46
Goal difference: 39
Emma Hayes has conceded the title to Man City.
It’s not over yet – and if there is a slip-up from City against Arsenal expect Chelsea to be primed to pounce. But it was a mood of deflation in the Blues camp after that dramatic loss to Liverpool.
It’s mightily unusual for Chelsea to arrive at this point in the season with only one trophy to play for. Europe was the one they really wanted. The ‘what ifs’ will presumably haunt Hayes for months to come after pushing Barca so close, in a game riddled with contentious refereeing decisions.
The knock-on effect looks to have derailed their domestic title bid too.
It’s almost unthinkable that Hayes, the games’ serial achiever, would bow out on a trophyless season after 12 years of unprecedented success.
But it has become a likelihood.
Chelsea fixtures
May 5: Chelsea vs Bristol City, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 6.45pm
May 15: Tottenham vs Chelsea, kick-off 7.15pm
May 18: Man Utd vs Chelsea, kick-off 3pm
Source : Sky Sports
