Hayes’ ruthless winning machine hits new peak for the women’s game
⮞c⮞elsea’s slick demolition of former serial winners Arsenal was a statement performance – they could dominate for years
Emma Hayes warned Arsenal what her Chelsea side wanted to do to them. Not just in the FA Cup final, not only the showpiece occasions, but every time they play against each other,
Chelsea intend to dominate and destroy.
The mission statement is clear, the motivation behind this trophywinning machine remains unsated, the aims still laser-focused. It is why we should regard this Chelsea side as the best the women’s game has seen in this country.
It is difficult to compare sides from different eras, particularly in the women’s game when you are looking at a sport that was a parttime pursuit for decades and turned fully professional only in 2018.
For so long Arsenal were so much better than everyone else, winning the league so many times it became routine, before they secured a quadruple in 2007. But Chelsea belong in the professional era. They are full-time athletes, more dedicated, fitter and stronger.
Arsenal were part-time players competing against other teams made up of players who had day jobs and trained in the evenings. The standard of women’s football has changed so much since the Women’s Super League was launched and Chelsea are raising it highest.
They are the best of the best in
England and hammered home that message yesterday. The FA Cup final win completed the first domestic treble of the fully professional era. They cruised through it, too, and they will not falter anytime soon.
Whenever they are pitched into battle, no matter the stage, whether it is a cup game or in the league, a domestic final or a European one, Chelsea want to flex, to intimidate and continue in their ruthless quest for domination of English club football.
They want to win everything. They want their rivals to look at them with fear, not just respect. They want to crush everyone. And that is what Chelsea did to Arsenal at the home of English football. Just as they did the last time they met in an
They will not be hurt because they lost the Cup final, it was the way they were brushed aside
FA Cup final here three years ago; just as they have done in the WSL for the past two years.
Chelsea did not just beat their London rivals, they outplayed them, took them apart, outclassed them and reminded everyone why they have been the most successful club side for three years. This was a statement performance – they will not be loosening their grip on power unless someone proves strong enough to rip it from them. Arsenal did not look like that side here.
Hayes is enjoying herself, so are the players and although Arsenal are top of the WSL, having beaten Chelsea 3-2 in September to offer evidence of their own resurgence, the gap between them is just one point and they have to face each other again in west London before the title is decided.
“Dominating is our only objective,” said Hayes before this win completed a domestic clean sweep of trophies for last season’s beaten Champions League finalists. European conquest remains on the to-do list.
Arsenal will not be hurt because they lost the Cup final, it was the way they were brushed aside in front of a large crowd and live television audience. It was not just a defeat, it was a savage beating.
From the moment three Arsenal defenders failed to deal with a simple ball over the top, standing and looking at each other, waiting for someone else to snuff out the danger as Sam Kerr buzzed around them and Fran Kirby charged through the middle of them to steal the ball and open the scoring after just three minutes, Chelsea were in control.
They should have had the game won before half-time and the 3-0 scoreline flattered Arsenal. Only the defiance of goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger kept them interested until Chelsea pulled clear just before the hour mark.
Arsenal saved their worst performance of the season for the biggest stage, freezing under pressure, with none of their star players shining.
Chelsea made it look easy. Their star names shone. That is why they are the best team in England. It is why they are probably the best this country has seen.