Chelsea’s Hayes hailed as an ’emblem of the English game’ by Onuoha
At the helm of Chelsea’s women’s team, Emma Hayes has crafted a legacy of triumph, yet her storied chapter in the Women’s Super League is set to conclude with the season’s end in May.
Garnering 13 significant honors with the Blues, Hayes masterminded a historic journey to their inaugural Women’s Champions League final.
With an 11-year stretch filled with memorable clashes, Sport News Center handpicks a quintet of these monumental matches and explores their ripple effects.
Chelsea 1-0 Notts County – 2015
The inaugural victory under Hayes’ reign came with the 2015 Women’s FA Cup
Sweet are the fruits of initial triumphs.
Embarking on her Chelsea saga in 2012, Hayes invested years in crafting a formidable team that ultimately celebrated their first trophy win.
The awaited breakthrough transpired in 2015, with Ji So-Yun, one of Hayes’ stellar recruits, netting the decisive goal in the FA Cup final against Notts County.
Not merely a personal milestone for Hayes, this victory also marked Chelsea’s inaugural silverware triumph and the first Women’s FA Cup final hosted at the iconic Wembley Stadium.
Despite preceding this finale with two league losses, Chelsea, as they’ve demonstrated time and again, rarely falter with Hayes at the wheel, especially when glory is on the line.
Match report
Chelsea 4-1 Bayern Munich (agg 5-3) – 2021
Chelsea’s pursuit of Women’s Champions League glory brought them to the 2021 final
In the chronicles of Hayes’ tenure, earlier triumphs shone brightly, but as her Chelsea empire evolved, scaling the summits of victory presented greater challenges.
While the pursuit of their maiden Women’s Champions League crown continues, it was Hayes who propelled Chelsea to their first final in 2021 after toppling Bayern Munich in an enthralling semi-final leg.
Overturning a 2-1 deficit, the late heroics from Pernille Harder and Fran Kirby in the return leg secured a 4-1 victory, booking their spot in the final.
Despite a crushing 4-0 defeat to Barcelona thereafter, this pivotal win against Bayern underscored Chelsea’s prominence, with an English team vying for the European title after a 14-year hiatus, leaving Hayes visibly moved to tears at the match’s end.
Match report
Chelsea 3-0 Tottenham – 2022
Post-surgery triumph and camaraderie marked Hayes’ return in the clash against Tottenham
Historic encounters with London rivals Tottenham have dotted Chelsea’s landscape, including a significant WSL match at Stamford Bridge in 2019.
Yet, the 2022 match bore a deeper resonance for Hayes, marking her return following emergency hysterectomy surgery and contributing to a fourth consecutive WSL crown.
Nearly two months absent, Hayes likened her sideline presence to a familial reunion, with goals from Sam Kerr, Erin Cuthbert, and Guro Reiten sealing a 3-0 victory.
Also noteworthy was the match’s backdrop—a record 38,300 home supporters at Stamford Bridge.
Match report
Chelsea 1-2 (agg 2-2) Lyon – 2023
Chelsea and Arsenal both edged into the semi-finals of the 2023 Women’s Champions League
The Women’s Champions League holds a dear place in Hayes’ aspirations, a testament to her enduring quest for European glory.
Among the illustrious matches in this quest, Chelsea’s nail-biting quarter-final triumph over reigning champions Lyon ranks supreme.
An electrifying saga across two legs culminated in a suspenseful penalty shootout, with Chelsea’s Ann-Katrin Berger denying Lindsey Horan and Wendie Renard.
A testament to the progression under Hayes’ stewardship was the match’s venue at Stamford Bridge and the pivotal role of VAR technology, which swayed the game’s destiny in Chelsea’s favor during the concluding moments of extra time.
Lyon’s rare quarter-final exit and Chelsea’s advance signified the first instance in five years that two English clubs, Chelsea and Arsenal, reached the last four.
Match report
Reading 0-3 Chelsea (2023)
Hayes and her son Harry basked in the glow of a fourth consecutive WSL title with Chelsea fans
This clash wasn’t just about the 90 minutes on the pitch—it was a celebration of the spoils of victory.
Chelsea’s win at Reading sealed not just their fourth straight WSL title but also spelled relegation for the hosts.
Such a string of league victories is nothing short of remarkable, and the win took on an extra layer of significance, rounding off a season where Hayes balanced surgery, motherhood, and the burgeoning competition.
Hayes shared poignant on-field moments with her son Harry amidst the celebrations, as the season drew to a close, bidding adieu to club stalwarts Magdalena Eriksson and Pernille Harder.
As Hayes looks to one more triumph before her Chelsea departure, this title stands as perhaps the crowning jewel in her collection.
Match report
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Emma Hayes Chelsea
What significant achievements has Emma Hayes made with Chelsea Women’s team?
Emma Hayes has guided Chelsea Women’s team to 13 major trophies, including multiple Women’s Super League titles and their first Women’s Champions League final appearance in 2021.
How did Emma Hayes’ first trophy with Chelsea come about?
Emma Hayes won her first trophy with Chelsea in 2015 when her team triumphed in the Women’s FA Cup final against Notts County, thanks to a goal by Ji So-Yun.
What was notable about Chelsea’s Women’s Champions League run in 2021?
Under Emma Hayes’ management, Chelsea reached the Women’s Champions League final for the first time in 2021, an English club’s first appearance in the final in 14 years.
What was Emma Hayes’ comeback game after her surgery?
Emma Hayes’ first game back after her surgery was a 3-0 win over Tottenham in 2022, which was a stepping stone towards Chelsea’s fourth successive WSL title.
How did Chelsea qualify for the Women’s Champions League semi-finals in 2023?
Chelsea qualified for the 2023 Women’s Champions League semi-finals after an extraordinary penalty shootout victory over Lyon in the quarter-finals, with Ann-Katrin Berger making crucial saves.
What made Chelsea’s WSL victory in 2023 significant for Emma Hayes?
Chelsea’s WSL victory in 2023 was especially significant for Emma Hayes as it was the fourth consecutive title, achieved after she returned from surgery and amidst balancing motherhood and competitive challenges.
More about Emma Hayes Chelsea
- Emma Hayes’ Managerial Career
- Chelsea Women’s FA Cup Victory 2015
- Chelsea’s Journey to the Women’s Champions League Final 2021
- Hayes’ Return to Chelsea After Surgery
- Chelsea vs. Lyon Quarter-Finals 2023
- Chelsea Clinching WSL Title 2023
4 comments
can’t believe its been 11 years with hayes at the helm, Time flies when ur winning I guess, She’s literally redefined the game for the blues
gotta say, the wsl title after hayes surgery, that was inspirational. Shows what you can do with grit and a bit of determination, Chelsea women are unstoppable!
Wow, Emma Hayes has rly taken Chelsea to new heights aint she? Remember watching the FA Cup win back in ’15, the vibes were just different, monumental for women’s footy
readin bout hayes in tears after the Munich game, hits ya in the feels, it’s not just about football its the passion, the drive, the tears n joy, thats what makes it beautiful