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Key events
34 min: The ball comes in but there’s too much on it for Beaver-Jones to connect with. This is ruthless from Chelsea, this will wear Bristol down and I think the next goal belongs to the Blues.
32 min: Nusken ends up in the box with the fans yelling shoot, but Bristol piles it up and the chance is gone.
30 min: Cuthbert gives away a free kick for a foul on Powell, this is deep in the Bristol half and so they will need to build from deep here. They hit it forward but Chelsea get it back and soon unleash their attack (I feel like I should just copy and paste this today!).
28 min: There’s a loose pass at the back for Bristol, but they do well to recover initially. Possession is exchanged and Chelsea try to attack once more.
26 min: Bull manages to block Hamano’s effort as Chelsea begin to chase down Manchester City’s goal difference. Before the start of the match, City had +6, which is now +4. Nusken’s goal was also Emma Hayes’ 500th goal as Chelsea manager at home.
24 min: Bentley saved this at first, but went back to Nusken, who was failing herself, and scored.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Bristol City (Nusken, 23′)
Righten, who was electric for the hosts, crossed again but it was cleared for a corner. Reiten stands over the set, she puts it in and Nusken finishes.
22 min: Sorry, my laptop decided to freeze so I missed a Chelsea corner, but we’re still 1-0. The Blues come again and a good cross goes in, but Beaver-Jones’ effort is well saved by Bentley.
20 min: Reiten and Hamano do a practice move, they connect with a one-two, but Hamano’s reverse pass falls short of Reiten.
18 min: Chelsea get it into the right areas but either can’t find anyone in the box or find the final touch to score. Beaver-Jones is the last to have a chance, she makes a good run and takes a shot but it’s wide.
16 min: Powell wins a free kick from a foul on Hamano, this battle down the right has been so interesting so far. Morgan’s delivery is good and it falls to Jones but it’s straight over the bar.
15 min: Cuthbert makes a great run, prompting wild cheers from the crowd, but Bristol manage to get the ball out and clear. The initial momentum that had Chelsea suffocating Bristol seems to have waned.
13 min: Chelsea win a corner and the execution is good but Nusken’s header is wide, the Blues defend well in the box.
11 min: Bright has a huge pass to Beaver-Jones but the forward is offside, Bristol barely get a sniff of the ball. Just as I write they have their first attack, really good run from Napier and she puts it away with Musovic having to make a good save. Bristol may already be relegated but they are a lethal team.
9 min: Hamano wonders about this, she’s absolutely everywhere right now. Chelsea prepare for another attack here, Wrighten scores but Connolly clears.
7 min: In a true show of intent, as soon as Raiten scored, she rushed to retrieve the ball to restart play, they know the goal difference will matter. On replay it appears that the foul by Bull may have been on the edge of the box. Of course, no VAR and so the penalty remains.
PUNISHMENT! Chelsea 1-0 Bristol City (Written, 6′)
Well struck and Chelsea are ahead.
5 minutes: Chelsea are awarded a penalty as Charles is fouled in the box.
5 minutes: Bristol have to withstand wave after wave of Chelsea attacks at the moment, so far they are pushing back, but how long can they last? They have shown this season that they are a tough team to beat.
4 min: Hamano had a lot of joy down the right so far, she put the ball in but Bentley picked it up. Hamano is the centerpiece in Chelsea’s first chance as she plays a one-two on Perisset, but Hamano’s chance is quite wide.
2 min: It’s a big game, it was anyway, but Man City’s loss means Chelsea are still in the race. Let me know your thoughts on this and what you’re doing this Sunday via email and X. Chelsea with the lion’s share of the possession so far.
Kickoff! Chelsea 0-0 Bristol City
There it is then. Can Chelsea continue their title defence? Or can Bristol upset Kingsmeadow’s party? All are forthcoming.
The audience applauded wildly as Emma Hayes walks out to Kingsmeadow with her son for the last time.
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes told Sky: “Of course it’s emotional but I’ve got to do everything in my power to make sure I put it aside for the rest of the game because when I think about my life here with these fans and the journey I’ve had at Kingsmeadow, I’d like to think this isn’t the end, it’s just goodbye and see you soon.”
The race for the title is as close as ever, and here are the games remaining for Chelsea and Manchester City, the two clubs who can still win the trophy.
Chelsea:
Man City:
A moment from an interview between Erin Cuthbert and Guro Raiten went viral, where Raiten said she had never tried Irn Bru. Now each game is given one:
In the club program today, Hayes said: “I just want to say what an honor and a privilege it has been to lead this football club. Thank you for always being behind the team, supporting us no matter the circumstances and making this journey so special. I love you all and I will never forget you.”
Bristol City manager Lauren Smith said: “It gives us another opportunity to face one of the best teams in the league. In recent history, they are the best team that has ever existed. We’ll look at it as an opportunity and also, two weeks after we play Everton, it’s an opportunity for us to try and pick up points in front of a home crowd. For us, there is something to play for.”
Today is Chelsea manager Emma Hayes the last home game in charge before she leaves this summer. Not only is this the boss’s last game in front of the club’s fans, it is also the last for Maren Mjelde and Fran Kirby, both playing having announced they will be leaving at the end of the season.
Here is the report from Manchester City’s loss to Arsenal if you want to catch up on some of the action:
Chelsea shared news about their team. Lauren James is out through injury but Millie Bright starts. Fran Kirby and Maren Mjelde are on the bench for their last home game.
Bristol team news is here. I will update you on Chelsea when they share it.
Bristol City:
Preamble
Hello and welcome back to our Women’s Super League coverage. Manchester City’s loss to Arsenal earlier today spoiled the title race and Chelsea have the chance to close the gap on City tonight when they face Bristol City.
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said the title race was over when the Blues lost to Liverpool in midweek, but it returned with City’s loss. Gareth Taylor’s side are currently six points clear but the Blues have two games in hand, including tonight.
This season will make history as so far no team has won the WSL title after three losses in the league. Chelsea and City have both lost that amount this campaign.
However, Bristol could throw a wrench in the race as, despite being relegated at the end of the season, their performances this campaign have been good. Squad news will be released shortly before kick-off at 18:45 BST.
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