Chelsea will leapfrog Manchester United into first place within the WSL desk in the event that they win their league subsequent recreation, having minimize the hole on the present leaders to only a single level by thrashing Leicester.
Emma Hayes’ reigning champions had fallen seven factors behind on Sunday afternoon after United had loved a cushty win over Tottenham and so they have been but to kick off of their night fixture towards Everton, which ultimately completed 7-0.
Simply as towards Everton, it was a fast and dominant begin at Kingsmeadow towards struggling Leicester. There was no Sam Kerr, left on the bench after coming off early on the weekend following illness and on account of calf cramp, however Guro Reiten wanted solely eight minutes to attain.
She had been provided by Pernille More durable, who has been in pink scorching type since getting back from long-term damage in current weeks. The Dane went on to attain two of her personal earlier than half-time, with Erin Cuthbert having already doubled Chelsea’s lead by that time.
Lauren James scored a scorcher of a fifth not lengthy after half-time, slicing in from the appropriate and lashing the ball into the highest nook with weaker left foot, whereas Jelena Cankovic netted Chelsea’s sixth of the evening in stoppage time on the finish of the sport.
13 objectives with out reply in two WSL video games from Chelsea has worn out United’s purpose distinction benefit within the house of 72 hours, which had the potential to function an additional level if wanted.
Simply days away from dealing with United within the FA Cup closing at Wembley, Hayes took the chance to withdraw More durable, Reiten, James and Cuthbert after little greater than an hour to make sure as a lot freshness as doable. There was additionally the added bonus of Kadeisha Buchanan’s return.
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As soon as the ultimate has been performed, Chelsea nonetheless have a recreation in hand within the WSL. They are going to play that subsequent Wednesday after they journey throughout London to face West Ham which have taken just one level from a doable 21 towards the highest 4 this season. With United not in motion within the league once more till the next weekend (20/21 Could), Chelsea will anticipate to be prime and within the driving seat by then.
At that stage, there might be no extra video games in hand and so whoever is in first place going into the penultimate spherical of fixtures will see the title as theirs to lose.
One main factor that might depend towards Chelsea at this stage is the potential for fatigue. The Blues have performed 14 occasions throughout 4 competitions since 5 March, a interval throughout which United have been in motion solely 9 occasions – and with out worldwide journey.
“I personally don’t really feel mentally drained,” Erin Cuthbert mentioned.
“We’ve been in a number of tournaments however sure issues and sure turning factors provide you with vitality. The efficiency towards Lyon within the dwelling leg [of the Champions League quarter-finals] definitely gave us a number of vitality.
“Even simply going to Barcelona and the Camp Nou and exhibiting what we have been able to gave everyone within the dressing room a elevate. We have been gutted to exit however the dressing room noticed it as a turning level and gas the fireplace to actually kick on. All of us mentioned ‘that is time to go on and win two titles’.”