As Emma Hayes walked out to Tina Turner’s ‘Simply the Best’ after her final home match in charge of Chelsea at Kingsmeadow, there was no time for tears for the departing manager.
Four days earlier, the 47-year-old had conceded the Women’s Super League title was “done” and seemingly heading to Manchester City for the first time since 2016.
Hayes and her players were downbeat and forlorn after a shock 4-3 defeat by Liverpool. Players huddled and consoled each other as they cried over what would seemingly be a trophyless campaign.
But after Sunday’s emphatic 8-0 thrashing of Bristol City, not only are Chelsea back in the title race, it is now also back in their hands.
While they are three points behind Gareth Taylor’s side with a game in hand, their goal difference has taken a significant boost and is now better than City’s.
As fans and players gathered to see Hayes address them for the final time on home turf, the adrenaline from the emphatic win over the already-relegated Robins was still pumping.
Initially she was unable to speak, as a farewell video was played out on a big screen, with Hayes watching on while hugging her son Harry.
But the contrast from Wednesday night was stark, as Hayes issued a rallying cry down the microphone.
“Let me be clear. It is not over,” she said. “There is no time for sentimentality. All work drinks are cancelled, there is a title to be won.
“And you know what? That group of players taught me something so special this week, that you never ever give up and this is what it means to be Chelsea.”