MANCHESTER — Every fairytale needs a happy ending and Emma Hayes got hers at Chelsea. A 6-0 thrashing of Manchester United at Old Trafford marked the perfect send-off for the stalwart manager with a fifth-consecutive Women’s Super League (WSL) title as she prepares to ride into the sunset and take charge of the USWNT this summer.
After 12 years of success, it looked like her story would end in the worst way possible: trophyless. Having lost the Conti Cup final to Arsenal, crashed out of the FA Cup against United in the semifinals, and failed to hold a first-leg lead to fall 2-1 to Barcelona on aggregate in the Champions League semifinals, the WSL title also looked set to slip through Hayes’ clutches after a 4-3 defeat to Liverpool two weeks ago.
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But there is always a late plot twist and in what has arguably been the Blues’ most tumultuous season — plagued by injuries, poor performances, and losses — an 8-0 win over Bristol City, coupled with a 2-1 defeat for rivals Manchester City at Arsenal the same day, put top spot back in their…
