Chelsea Women poised for blockbuster finale with Emma Hayes' perfect WSL send-off in sight

In a week when Tottenham's Premier League defeat to Manchester City provided the latest twist in an intoxicating title race, Spurs may have also played their part in deciding the final destination of the Women's Super League (WSL) trophy.

Chelsea's 1-0 win over Robert Vilahamn's side has put the Blues back in control of their own destiny, with Maika Hamano's first-half strike propelling the reigning champions back to the top of the table ahead of this weekend's season finale against Manchester United. It was only two weeks ago that manager Emma Hayes all but conceded the title following her team's late collapse at Liverpool.

However, Arsenal's comeback win over then-league-leaders Man City just four days later offered Chelsea a flicker of hope that well and truly burst into flame following the Blues' 8-0 demolition of Bristol City that same evening.

"Nobody really understands how hard it is to keep winning," Hayes said ahead of her penultimate game as Chelsea boss. "To be in a position to compete for that, that’s all I wanted the team to be in. I just want them to enjoy the next two games."

Certainly, the soon-to-be US Women's National Team coach looked like she was enjoying herself at the full-time whistle on Wednesday night as she was serenaded by the travelling Chelsea fans, who will surely now sense a fifth consecutive WSL title is on the horizon. The Blues had been up against a Tottenham side with little left to play for this term, with the north Londoners having suffered a demoralising 4-0 reverse to Man United in Sunday's Women's FA Cup final.

"The team were fighting relegation last year, so we have turned it around," manager Robert Vilahamn said before the match. "We’ve developed an identity in how we play and how we run business. It feels like we’re doing all the right stuff."

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Tottenham, though, struggled to contain a Chelsea side that were clearly out for blood at Brisbane Road, with Catarina Macario and Aggie Beever-Jones both forcing early saves from Barbora Votikova, deputising inbetween the sticks for the injured Rebecca Spencer. The Blues were unlucky not to be awarded a spot-kick when the ball appeared to strike the arm of Spurs defender Luana Bühler in the penalty area, and should have taken the lead inside the opening quarter-of-an-hour when Niamh Charles' cross was met by Hamano but the Japan international could only direct her header over the crossbar.

Speculative efforts from Jessica Naz and Grace Clinton offered Chelsea an ominous reminder of Tottenham's attacking prowess, but the Blues stayed patient and got their reward when Hamano broke the deadlock after 37 minutes to score just her second WSL goal for the club. The 20-year-old forward was perfectly placed to divert Guro Reiten's excellent cut-back into the back of the net and Hayes' relief was palpable, the Chelsea boss dropping her usually-impassive touchline facade to punch the air in celebration.

Spurs did start to rally before the break, however, with Clinton dragging a strike just wide of the post before the tricky Naz flashed an effort right across the face of goal. And the pendulum continued to swing in the hosts' favour after the restart as Chelsea found themselves having to repel wave after wave of Tottenham pressure.

Vilahamn's side should have restored parity when the ball fell to Bühler inside the box, but the defender's effort was well-blocked before full-back Ashleigh Neville ballooned the rebound over the bar from just a few yards out. Chelsea also spurned a great chance late on as substitute Fran Kirby - who is set to depart Kingsmeadow this summer after a trophy-laden nine years at the club - failed to hit the target after a lovely delivery into the box from Erin Cuthbert.

But the Blues managed to survive a late Tottenham onslaught to hang on to a priceless three points, with Hayes insisting her team still have plenty of work to do if they are to pip City to the title. "We've got to go to Old Trafford," she told BBC Sport after the game.

"It's a fitting finale for me. As I said to the players if someone gives you a second chance in life, make sure you don't need a third one. We're in the position we want to be in and we'll give it everything on Saturday no matter what."

The victory sees Chelsea leapfrog City to move to the summit of the WSL table, with the two teams now level on points going into the final day. The Blues have the superior goal difference - with a two-goal buffer over Gareth Taylor's side - but arguably have the tougher assignment this weekend as they take on United at the Theatre of Dreams.

Despite having struggled in the WSL this term, the Reds will take to the pitch on Saturday fresh from being crowned FA Cup champions and buoyed by the memory of their recent victory over Chelsea in the semi-finals of that same competition. Still, the Blues have shown time and time again they are adept at delivering when the stakes are at their highest.

They have won the title with a victory on the final day in each of the last three seasons and only a fool would bet against them doing the same again this term. That City are set to face an erratic Aston Villa side on Saturday afternoon makes it impossible to predict what criteria will be required to win the title, with the prospect of it being a straight shootout for the trophy now looking a distinct possibility.

But, if knowledge is power, then Chelsea can go into this weekend with the assuredness of a team that has been there, done it and won it before. Under Hayes, the Blues have established themselves as WSL royalty and they are now perfectly placed to go on and defend their crown.