The minute that door was left open, was the minute we walked through it.

Those were the words of Emma Hayes after Chelsea beat Manchester City to the Women’s Super League title on Saturday.

The truth is that City threw it away. They were in control of their own destiny when Chelsea were beaten 4-3 by Liverpool on May 1.

Hayes went as far as conceding the title. ‘I’ve had amazing memories at this football club,’ Hayes said. ‘We’ve won a lot of things and I’d love to bring titles again to Chelsea but that’s not going to be this year I’m afraid.’

But when the pressure was on, City crumbled. Their 2-1 defeat by Arsenal, which saw them concede goals in the 89th and 92nd minute, gave Chelsea a route back in - and they took it. Hayes’ side beat Bristol City 8-0, taking them ahead of City on goal difference, and then won their game in-hand against Tottenham to go level on points and top of the table going into the final day.

Chelsea dramatically beat Manchester City to the Women’s Super League title on Saturday

Crucially, City lost their top scorer Bunny Shaw for their final three games of the season after the forward broke her foot against West Ham. 

Would City have lost against Arsenal had Shaw been available? Possibly not. But Chelsea have had their fair share of injuries across the season. City were perhaps too reliant on Shaw.

‘If we'd have been in City's position, had they lost to Liverpool in the years gone by, we definitely would have won that next game,’ Hayes said.

‘So forgive me for thinking that City should have won the title. I'm not not doubting that I think the loss of Bunny Shaw was significant.

‘I think Man City have had a tremendous season. They really have. They pushed us all the way. But if you leave that door open for a team like Chelsea… I think the minute that door was left open was the minute everybody knew that we would walk through it.’

Chelsea thrashed Manchester United 6-0 on the final day to ensure a fifth successive title. United, who had won the FA Cup a week earlier, were worryingly off the pace. United boss Marc Skinner, whose one-year contract extension was announced a day earlier, insisted Hayes’ departure will make the WSL more competitive in years to come.

‘The days of winning five in a row I think will be gone,’ Skinner said.

‘Congratulations to Emma Hayes for doing that and to Chelsea for doing that. I’ve been in this game a long time, I’ve seen it grow from no teams, not professional, all the way to teams that have had the advantage because they professionalised quicker. Chelsea have still managed to deliver. Congratulations to Emma, I wish her all the best in the US. That leaves a space and hopefully we can fill it.’

Hayes now leaves Chelsea to join the United States national team and she seems adamant that we will not see her in club football again, but did not rule out returning to the Blues in a different capacity

‘If I'm to ever be around club football again, I don't suspect it will be in coaching,’ Hayes said.

‘But when my tenure is done with the United States, if Chelsea ever need me, they know what my number is.’