How Chelsea extended their dynasty with a sixth successive title

There was an air of inevitability as Chelsea rocked up in Manchester on Wednesday night.

To say they were preparing to win their sixth successive WSL title would be wrong. Bompastor admitted they had not entertained the idea that Arsenal would drop points at Aston Villa, in turn opening the door for Chelsea.

Instead, this was a group of wounded animals, still bruised from their Champions League semi-final humiliation on Sunday and keen to put it right.

When word of Arsenal’s 5-2 defeat at Aston Villa eventually spread through the stands at Leigh Sports Village, Chelsea’s routine did not falter.

Bompastor stood arms folded, watching on as the players warmed up, acting as if they had no indication what was happening elsewhere.

This was Chelsea in their usual, ruthless mood, preparing to get the job done.

It was a stark contrast to the outpouring of emotion that came from the stands 90 minutes later when they were crowned champions again.

Supporters were so sure of victory when Lucy Bronze headed in the game’s only goal in the 74th minute, that they sang “Chelsea, champions” on repeat until the end.

Chelsea, as they have done so often this season, left it late to break the deadlock but did what needed to be done, even when they were not playing their best.

“Mentality monsters” has been their tag in recent times and they leant on that numerous times again this season.

Of their total goals scored, 33% of them came in the final 15 minutes of matches – more than any other WSL team.

They also picked up eight points after coming from behind in games – only Manchester City have earned more from losing positions.

Essentially, it was always Chelsea’s title to lose – they had won the previous five WSL trophies, had the biggest budget in the league and invested further in the transfer window.

Their spending has been unmatched – but that is why they are champions. The chasing pack walked, as Chelsea ran, bouyed by their invincible mentality.

When Hayes stepped down, Chelsea recruited one of the best coaches in Europe, snatching Bompastor from French giants Lyon.

When they were pushed to the brink last season by Manchester City, winning their fifth successive title on goal difference, they responded by signing Champions League winners Bronze and Keira Walsh from Barcelona.

They bounced back from a defeat at Manchester City in the Champions League to beat them days later in the league, and scored a stoppage-time winner against Liverpool to book their place in the Women’s FA Cup final.

They have built a squad capable of challenging on all domestic fronts and they remain on course to win the Treble this season, with two trophies already in the bag.

Is the gap widening between Chelsea and everybody else in the WSL? Their points tally and unbeaten season suggests it is.

Arsenal and Manchester United showed their credentials in spells. But the difference has always been that Chelsea still win when they are vulnerable.