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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Hayes rates WSL title chances</li><li>Chelsea battling with Man City</li><li>Goal difference could be decisive</li></ul>

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes reveals why Blues only have 'small' chance of winning WSL title following Barcelona Women's Champions League heartbreak

Chelsea FC Women

Manchester City Women

Hayes suggested there is now only a "small chance" that the Blues will finish 2023-24 as WSL champions, having gone into the campaign chasing a fifth successive league crown.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Chelsea trail Manchester City by six points but have two games in hand - against Liverpool this week and later Tottenham in the final week of the season - that could eradicate the gap. But City's superior goal difference, seven better than Chelsea's as it stands, still gives them the advantage. The Blues must also ensure there is no hangover from the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/emma-hayes-left-tears-dreams-champions-league-glory-with-chelsea-ahead-uswnt-move-ended-by-barcelona/bltcde751b00e02b89c" target="_self">disappointment of their Champions League semi-final defeat to Barcelona on Saturday</a>.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Wednesday's clash with Liverpool, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/player/emma-hayes/d7bg20fslu7n7w3zbcyxr0wr9" target="_self">Hayes</a> said: "We are not in the driving seat, we don't have the goal difference, we have to catch up. We've always known we were going to be playing catch-up. It's not anything we haven't prepared for."

WHAT HAYES SAID

Manchester City are hoping to win their first <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/wsl/6vq8j5p3av14nr3iuyi4okhjt" target="_self">WSL</a> title since 2016 and only their second overall since joining the league a decade ago. Gareth Taylor's team have bounced back in a big way since finishing fourth last season and have put themselves into position by winning 14 successive league games since November.

DID YOU KNOW?

Having seen her Champions League dream come to an end still unfulfilled, all Hayes can do now is hope her time at <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/team/chelsea-fc-women/spi3g782q7m4evjxn1sv6cfa" target="_self">Chelsea</a> before taking over the USWNT finishes with one last WSL title. There are no guarantees of that even if they do win all remaining games, but doing so would certainly put huge pressure on Manchester City, who must yet face Arsenal in one of their two outstanding fixtures. Meanwhile, Chelsea will host Bristol City and later finish the season against Manchester United at Old Trafford in addition to the aforementioned Liverpool and Tottenham games.

WHAT NEXT FOR HAYES & CHELSEA?

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes reveals why Blues only have 'small' chance of winning WSL title following Barcelona Women's Champions League heartbreak | Goal.com

Emma Hayes isn&apos;t optimistic about Chelsea&apos;s WSL title chances in their battle with current leaders Manchester City.

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes reveals why Blues only have &apos;small&apos; chance of winning WSL title following Barcelona Women&apos;s Champions League heartbreak