Lucy Bronze’s strike against Manchester United marked her first goal in the WSL since September 2024.
Within the Women’s Super League, Chelsea seem to be competing as much against themselves as their rivals.
A 1-0 win at Manchester United on Wednesday evening secured Chelsea’s sixth consecutive WSL title and the first under manager Sonia Bompastor.
This repeated success may explain the subdued celebrations at the final whistle—marked by handshakes and embraces rather than exuberant displays.
The quest for the Champions League—the trophy Chelsea covet most—also lingers.
The domestic title arrives just three days after Chelsea’s hopes of clinching a maiden European crown were ended by Barcelona—8-2 on aggregate—the club’s most comprehensive elimination to date in the competition.
How can Chelsea ensure that this latest title is distinguished from their previous triumphs, and that a season which could culminate in a domestic treble of WSL, League Cup and FA Cup is not viewed as underwhelming?
“We wanted to be unbeaten,” Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze told Sky Sports, after netting the decisive goal at Leigh Sports Village.
“Our luck this year is that we’ve held onto our unbeaten run, knowing there remained two objectives. Even after learning of Arsenal’s defeat before kick-off, we were determined to keep winning and finish the season without a loss.”
“Securing the league this evening still leaves us with two matches to go, and our aim is to win both. We want to end the campaign undefeated.”
Key statistics from Chelsea’s latest WSL triumph
Only three times previously has a team secured the WSL without suffering defeat—Arsenal in 2012, Manchester City in 2016, and Chelsea themselves in 2018.
No team has achieved this feat in the current 22-game format. If Chelsea avoid defeat against Tottenham next Sunday and then at home to Liverpool on 10 May, they will set a new benchmark.
Bompastor must come to terms with the disappointment of the European exit, but claiming what may be the most emphatic WSL title in history would offer significant consolation.
Should Chelsea prevail in their last two league fixtures, they would set a new points record in the WSL—exceeding their own mark of 58 from the 2022-23 season—and become the first club to reach 60 points.
Sonia Bompastor now adds an English league title to the three Division 1 Féminine championships she won with Lyon.
“I constantly strive for perfection and the ideal,” Bompastor explained in her post-match press conference at Leigh Sports Village.
“I instructed the players that off the ball and defensively, we must strive for clean sheets. The team needs to support one another, remain compact, compete for every duel and second ball—it’s about perfecting the small details.”
“Even in victory, I am never completely satisfied. My attention already turns to achieving the treble and the finals still to come.”
Bompastor is the first manager to lift the WSL in her debut season since Laura Harvey guided Arsenal in the league’s inaugural campaign in 2011.
She acknowledged the pressure she felt following her highly anticipated move from Lyon to London, as well as stepping into the shoes of Emma Hayes, whom she praised following the United win.
“Arriving at Chelsea, expectations are clear—you’re expected to win the league. It was similar at Lyon, but the competitiveness here is even higher. Achieving this for six consecutive seasons, and in my first year, is far from simple.”
“People suggest it looks easy for Chelsea, but that’s not the case. To be unbeaten and beat the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, and Manchester United twice each—that speaks volumes. It’s incredible.”
“Don’t believe it’s easy. It’s not. It’s a result of daily commitment and hard work. I push my players day in, day out.”
“I wish to thank Emma [Hayes]. I’m certain she is proud of us securing the title tonight. She left the club poised for further success.”
Chelsea have not always overwhelmed opponents this season—they have scored fewer goals than runners-up Arsenal, and no player has reached double figures in league goals.
Wednesday’s encounter encapsulated their campaign: United registered more shots, a higher expected goals tally, and had a strong penalty claim before the break when Grace Clinton was brought down by Millie Bright. Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made five saves and was named player of the match.
Yet Chelsea continue to find ways to win—and, crucially, avoid defeat.
“Since joining this club, my ambition has always been to win trophies,” Hampton told the BBC. “To have claimed the league title in both my seasons here is surreal. Success never grows old, no matter how many times it comes.”
Chelsea’s season now consists of three matches—their remaining two league games, and an FA Cup final, once again against Manchester United, on 18 May.
Completing the domestic season undefeated would be a remarkable feat.
“This is a dream scenario for Sonia Bompastor,” former England international Izzy Christiansen commented to Sky Sports. “From her backroom staff to the new and returning players—they understand what it takes to win, wherever or however it happens.”
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