How Chelsea flipped script on Emma Hayes to lift record fifth Women's Super League title

In the end, student became master.

That's how Chelsea defender Millie Bright sees it, as she and her teammates were the ones needed to lift Emma Hayes up after the long-time Blues boss announced the title race was done and dusted.

The concession was atypical Hayes, causing a stir amongst pundits, fans and players alike as the generally bullish and convicted Hayes cut a defeated figure after her side's dramatic 4-3 loss to Liverpool in the Women's Super League. The defeat effectively put title rivals Manchester City into pole position with two games remaining in Hayes' final season at Chelsea.

And after an emotionally and physically exacting month during which Chelsea lost the Continental Cup final to Arsenal and were dumped out of the FA Cup semi-finals and Champions League semi-finals, it seemed the fourth and final trophy up for grabs would also slip through Hayes' grasp.

Yet Arsenal's stunning come-back victory over Manchester City turned the title race on its head. And after an emphatic 8-0 thrashing of Bristol City and a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, the Blues managed to not only draw themselves level on points with City but usurp their superior goal difference as well.

A 6-0 thrashing of Manchester United at Old Trafford on the final day of the season confirmed a seventh and final WSL title triumph for Hayes in one of the most blistering and competitive races in modern history.

"The mentality of the group is something that I’ve never experienced before," Bright told BBC's Women's Football Weekly podcast when asked about the victory.

"I’ve always said Emma always prepared us for these types of moments. People said Emma gave up after the Liverpool game but I tell everyone, a team is not just staff supporting players,