‘It’s always good to start with a win,’ Sonia Bompastor said after clinching a narrow victory against Aston Villa after her first game in charge of Chelsea last September.
It certainly looked like Bompastor enjoyed ending her first season in charge with a win, too, as the French coach helped Chelsea to a record sixth consecutive league title with their 1-0 victory here at Leigh Sports Village.
Bompastor’s side travelled here with the gleam of their season somewhat tarnished after the weekend’s Champions League exploits – where they suffered a heavy beating at the hands of Barcelona in their third consecutive semi-final against the Catalan giants as their most coveted trophy evaded them once again.
But if Chelsea have discovered they’ve got a bogey team in Barcelona, then they’ve found in Manchester United a side who always seem to do them a favour.
In a strange quirk of coincidence, or incredibly unfortunate luck if you’re a Red, United have been there to witness the Blues win the WSL title in three of their last four seasons, save for 2022-23 – the year that they were beaten by Hayes’ side in their first FA Cup final.
All eyes were on the Aston Villa-Arsenal match earlier in the evening, with the Blues knowing they only had to go one better than the Gunners to secure the title.
Chelsea secured their sixth consecutive Women’s Super League title with a 1-0 victory at Man United
Lucy Bronze’s late header was enough to give the Blues a title-clinching three points
And as phones in the press area started to ping to show Renee Slegers’ second-string side – rested after they found better luck in the Champions League – had let in five goals in Birmingham to eventually lose 5-2, the sense of anticipation here started to build with a point all that was needed for glory.
Sonia Bompastor made just two changes to the team that started against Barcelona three days ago, choosing her trusted and weary best XI. She was keen to get this one wrapped up.
Manchester United were in no mood to roll over for the reigning champions.
Marc Skinner turned to a defensive line-up, preferring Dominique Janssen in midfield alongside Hinata Miyazawa over his captain Ella Toone.
United’s sole victory against Chelsea came last season in the FA Cup semi-final, where they frustrated Emma Hayes’ side with a low block and broke twice on the counter.
This time United were more adventurous going forward. Their strength in depth compared to last season, particularly at the back, meant Skinner’s side are less vulnerable in the spaces between their lines, and so they were willing to push forward and take the game by the horns.
Meanwhile Chelsea struggled to take make any clear-cut chances in the first 45 minutes, as has often been the case this season.
Mayra Ramirez’s recent struggles in front of goal persisted in this game and a period of discontent for the Colombian was capped off by an early departure before the half-hour mark with an injury.
Sonia Bompastor’s dominant side will be celebrating after being crowned WSL champions
On came Johanna Rytting Kaneryd in her place, the Swede taking up her natural right-wing position to push Aggie Beever-Jones into the centre of the Chelsea attacking line.
The game started to open up in the second half.
A misplaced pass by a Chelsea player ended with Elisabeth Terland having a clean strike on goal, with the United striker over-shooting into the stand behind Hannah Hampton’s goal. Bompastor booted the nearest bottle within her reach in frustration.
Chelsea finally breached United’s formidable defence through a set-piece, and it came through none other than Lucy Bronze. The right-back rose the highest and arrowed a header past Phallon Tullis-Joyce into the far-left corner.
United continued to seek a consolation with their boisterous crowd behind them but Chelsea held the fort.
They did what champions do and saw it out until the very end.
