The Chelsea Women’s team demonstrated resilience, skill, and grit to claim the Women’s Super League (WSL) title for an unprecedented fourth consecutive year.
But the journey wasn’t a smooth sail from the get-go. Let’s look at how the Chelsea women turned the tides in their favour, emerging victorious in the 2022/23 season.
An Unexpected Start
The season began with a jolt for Chelsea, as the newly-promoted Liverpool team defeated them 2-1 in the opening match. Chelsea’s grip on the trophy seemed wavering, but this defeat turned out to be an anomaly rather than the norm.
The Rise to Dominance
The Blues swiftly regained their footing, starting with an impressive 2-0 win over Manchester City at Kingsmeadow. This match showcased the team’s resilience and ability to bounce back, with goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger making a series of remarkable saves. The victory over Manchester City was the first in nine consecutive league victories that quickly overshadowed the early season defeat.
Among these wins, the highlights were a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in a charged London derby and an 8-0 goal-fest against Leicester City. The winning streak propelled Chelsea back to the top of the WSL table, sending a strong signal to the rivals.
Key Moments and Setbacks
The new year brought a tough challenge against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The match ended in a draw, with Sam Kerr’s 89th-minute equalizer securing a crucial point and maintaining Chelsea’s three-point lead at the top of the table.
However, an unexpected defeat to Manchester City towards the end of March momentarily set Chelsea back to the third position in the league table. But in true Chelsea style, the team bounced back, kickstarting another winning streak with a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa.
The Final Stretch
Chelsea kept their cool with the title race going down to the wire and continued their winning streak. In the final five matches of the season, the Blues won all, with significant victories over Everton (7-0) and Leicester (6-0).
The penultimate match against Arsenal was particularly emotional as captain Magdalena Eriksson and Pernille Harder bid farewell to Kingsmeadow. But Chelsea celebrated their departure with a 2-0 victory, maintaining their lead at the top of the table.
Clinching the Title
The title race extended to the season’s final day, but Chelsea Women held their nerve, beating Reading 3-0. This victory cemented Chelsea’s position at the top of the table, clinching the WSL title for the fourth year.
In conclusion, the 2022/23 season was a testament to Chelsea Women’s resilience, adaptability, and never-say-die spirit. Despite the early setbacks, they rose to the challenge, delivering memorable performances and asserting dominance in the Women’s Super League. As the dust settles on yet another successful season, we can’t wait to see what’s next for this remarkable team.
