This fixture had long been circled in the calendars of all Chelsea fans. Emma Hayes’ final home game as Chelsea manager, and her Kingsmeadow farewell.
There had been tentative hope it may have been part of the victory procession of a successful title defence. It would have been the most fitting way to send off our legendary manager – yet more silverware to crown her illustrious tenure. The opposition, Bristol City, long-destined for relegation, would surely be willing spectators to this party – it all seemed perfectly lined up for a dream end.
Instead, the significant setbacks over the past month have turned the season into more of a nightmare. We had crashed out out of three of the four competitions we had fought through such adversity for all season… and the damaging 4-3 defeat to Liverpool midweek had led Hayes herself to almost concede the WSL title, the final of those four potential trophies.
There was to be added emotional weight for this one, due to the announcements in the days leading up to the game that it would also be the final game at Kingsmeadow for two genuine club legends – Maren Mjelde, and Fran Kirby.
However, spirits were lifted before kickoff, with the news that two last-minute goals in the Manchester City vs Arsenal game had seen the league leaders slip to a 2-1 defeat – and bring renewed hope in the title race for the Blues. Spirits were to be lifted even further after a resounding win, like we had dreamed of – which may mean the title is back on after all.
At the very least, we are still fighting for it – and it meant that three of the most legendary figures in the history of the club were able to say goodbye with a celebration they more than deserve.
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Two late goals from Arsenal’s Stina Blakstenius turned around their game vs Man City – and the loss for the league leaders opened the door again for Chelsea.
However, Chelsea would need to win all of our games – and make up a big goal difference swing – in order to retain our title. Man City remained favourites, given our fixtures… but the situation was better than we could have envisaged, in the fallout from Wednesday’s defeat to Liverpool.
First of all, Chelsea would need to win this game, against the already-relegated Bristol City – who truthfully were not expected to put up much fight. The mission was clear – win, and win well.
Hayes made six changes to the XI who lost to Liverpool midweek, with injuries to the likes of Lauren James and Mayra Ramirez meaning starts for Maika Hamano and Aggie Beever-Jones in the front line. Jess Carter was rested, and Sophie Ingle handed a rare start in midfield. Zecira Musovic was also given a runout in place of Hannah Hampton, in goal.
As in the Liverpool game, it was the perfect start for Chelsea – with an early goal. Niamh Charles was tripped in the box, and Guro Reiten – another change from the starting line-up vs Liverpool – calmly converted, making it four from four successful penalties for the winger this season.
Unlike in the Liverpool game, Chelsea did not rest on the lead. Bristol City barely had time to breathe on the rare occasion they were on the ball, with Chelsea thoroughly on top. A second felt inevitable, and it came inside 25 minutes – Sjoeke Nüsken prodding home from close range, after a scramble in the box. .
Musovic had been called upon to make a crucial double save in-between the goals, and also did well to snuff out Bristol City’s attempts at counter attacks with some important sweeping out of goal. Despite Chelsea’s domination, the Robins were still in this game. Given what happened on Wednesday, it did feel slightly nervy.
The Blues’ intensity did fade somewhat throughout the first half, and Bristol City were left ruing some missed opportunities – their young team having shown some naivety in their decision-making.
A spectacular overhead kick from Aggie Beever-Jones on the stroke of half time could have made it three, but her effort missed the target. This meant at the break the Blues were being held to a 2-0 lead – and would need more goals if we wanted to relaunch our title challenge for real. There was a danger of it becoming a frustrating game, and a missed opportunity.
Emma Hayes brought Kirby on at half time to a rousing ovation, for her final appearance at Kingsmeadow in Blue – and the stage was set for her to find the spark to light the touchpaper on the game.
Instead, the next goal came from a player who has long cited our number 14 as an inspiration – Beever-Jones played a perfectly-timed 1-2 with Erin Cuthbert, before finishing for 3-0. Almost the whole of the second half stretched ahead of us, and there was real optimism Chelsea really could put Bristol City to the sword.
The fourth came before the hour, and it was another goal for Reiten. The Norwegian had been running the show for Chelsea all afternoon, and although her first goal was straightforward from 12 yards, this one was spectacular from 20 – her precise strike going in off the post.
Hayes made more attacking changes, introducing Cat Macario and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.
Two of the substitutes, Macario and Kirby, combined in a lovely attacking move – Reiten finishing with confidence to complete her hat trick… and the Bristol City resistance now seemed truly broken.
Macario soon got herself another assist. The American has become rapidly renowned for her excellent set piece delivery – her free kick from out wide found Niamh Charles, who made it six with a controlled finish.
The joyous Kingsmeadow faithful at this point were chanting “we want seven” – and Reiten duly obliged with another fine finish from just outside of the box, making it a truly special poker for a truly special player.
The Norwegian has struggled this season, in truth, finding it hard since returning from injury to find the form of last season – but she saved her best performance this year for a crucial time.
There was time for Mjelde to come on as a substitute, for a proper farewell from the Chelsea fans. There was also time for Beever-Jones to finish an inviting Reiten cross with a diving header, following an incisive run from Kirby – making it 8-0.
That eighth goal meant Chelsea finished the day with a superior goal difference to Man City – which may prove crucial.
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In the end, it was everything we could have wished for – and the feelings of elation were so much greater than could have been expected a few days ago.
Title race aside, that we were able to send off Emma, Fran and Maren so superbly was the headline – and that Guro Reiten put in a performance that suggested she may be getting back to her best another source of hope, even if not this year, then at least for a restoration in the next.
There were as expected some hugely emotional scenes after the whistle – but there was still work to be done.
The Blues are still three points behind, albeit with a game in hand – but with two tricky trips to Spurs and Man United to come, it feels there are a lot of twists and turns to come. Goal difference will be moot, if the Blues were unable to win those games.
It may be cautious but hope, nonetheless, is restored… for now.
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Final score: Chelsea 8-0 Bristol City
Line up: Musovic; Perisset (Rytting Kaneryd 63), Bright (c), Bjorn (Mjelde 82), Charles; Cuthbert, Ingle (Macario 63); Hamano, Nusken (Kirby h-t), Reiten; Beever-Jones (Lawrence 90+2)
Unused subs: Hampton, Buchanan, Carter, Leupolz
Goal scorer(s): Reiten 6 (pen), 56, 70, 77, Nusken 23, Beever-Jones 52, 88, Charles 74
The Glory Hayes 