Women’s Champions League and Super League: weekend talking points

Hayes hopes fans stay onboard

Emma Hayes praised the Chelsea fans who watched the team’s Champions League exit to Barcelona at a sold-out Stamford Bridge on Saturday and urged them to return next season. “The crowd were fantastic, they really were,” said Hayes. “I could feel their energy and they were really pushing us. I hope the club builds on it and they make sure they return. The most important thing for me is that they keep coming back.” Hayes also expressed fury at the decision-making of the officials, with the defeat marred by the sending off of Kadeisha Buchanan and penalty awarded to Barcelona for a foul in Aitana Bonmatí that ensured a 2-0 defeat on the night and 2-1 loss on aggregate. “Tonight is a tough one to take as we felt we didn’t really get a chance to lose,” she said. Suzanne Wrack

• Match report: Chelsea 0-2 Barcelona (1-2 on aggregate)

Sophie Downey: Hayes sees European dreams washed away in the rain

Bompastor masters semi-final again

If Chelsea’s search for a new manager ends with Sonia Bompastor then their players will be working with someone who showed how to see out a tricky semi-final. Paris Saint-Germain cannot get the better of them in the Champions League. PSG performed admirably, but they just could not shake off Lyon. With Wendie Renard and Selma Bacha outstanding in defence, Bompastor used the threat of her team’s speed on the counter to stifle PSG’s sense of adventure. The introduction of Vicki Bècho’s speed from the bench proved the decisive element in setting up Melchie Dumornay’s decider. Where Emma Hayes lost control of Chelsea’s semi, Bompastor never allowed Lyon’s focus to fade. John Brewin

• Match report: Paris Saint-Germain SG 1-2 Lyon (3-5 on aggregate)

Bristol City run out of time

Bristol City’s relegation to the Championship was confirmed following a 4-0 defeat to title challengers Manchester City at Ashton Gate on Sunday evening. The hosts were able to keep Gareth Taylor’s side at bay until Mary Fowler broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute. Manchester City went into cruise control from that point, making it impossible for Bristol to get back into the game. “We have been sat at the bottom of the table for the season,” said Lauren Smith, Bristol City’s head coach. “It has always been a mountain to climb so that’s what we’ve been fighting against. Some of the performances we have been very proud of but haven’t got the results. I think we have shown up but we haven’t shown up for 90 minutes week in, week out and that’s the difference”. Emillia Hawkins

• Match report: Bristol City 0-4 Manchester City

Hobson milestone stuns Arsenal

Everton’s Issy Hobson ended Arsenal’s title challenge with a late equaliser at Walton Hall Park on Sunday. At 16 years and 180 days old, Hobson became the youngest ever Women’s Super League goalscorer when she rose highest to head home in the 95th minute. “It’s something I’ve been dreaming of since I started playing football,” said the lifelong Everton fan. Hobson’s contribution earned Everton their first WSL point against Arsenal since 2012, ending a 16-game losing streak against the Gunners. Arsenal won the league that year, but the prospect of them being champions again this season is now out of the question, with Jonas Eidevall’s side eight points behind leaders Manchester City with only two games to go. Xaymaca Awoyungbo

Spurs extend run with final looming

Robert Vilahamn is being forced to problem-solve with an inaugural FA Cup final just a fortnight away. Tottenham’s head coach will have been pleased at the character his side showed at Brisbane Road, coming from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Brighton to extend their unbeaten run to six games in all competitions. The experienced Martha Thomas, Drew Spence and Celin Bizet were all absent through injury, meaning the impressive Matilda Vinberg retained her place. Spurs created plenty over the course of 90 minutes but struggled to find a clinical edge. Of their 23 chances, they could only register seven on target, one of which was Beth England’s 81st-minute equaliser. Sophie Downey

Toone delivers from off bench

You couldn’t wipe the smile off Ella Toone’s face after her 25-yard strike sealed all three points for Manchester United at the King Power Stadium on Sunday. The visitors gave Janina Leitzig ample opportunity to prove herself again as one of the league’s best shot-stoppers as they peppered Leicester City’s goal with 21 shots in the hopes of ending a poor run of away form, but they failed to convert until Toone, on as a substitute, turned Sam Tierney and thumped a shot into the top corner from long-range in the 83rd minute. “It was a decent finish. Mary [Earps] wouldn’t have saved it either!” said Toone afterwards. “To be fair, the keeper got dead close to it, then luckily when it hit the back of the net, I was buzzing with it.” Flora Snelson

West Ham safe with Cooke equaliser

Shannon Cooke secured West Ham’s place in the WSL for another season with a last-minute equaliser against Aston Villa. The visitors to Villa Park needed little incentive to attack yet it appeared a win was out of reach following Alisha Lehmann’s first league goal of the season for the hosts on 72 minutes. But out of nothing, Riko Ueki whipped in a cross towards Cooke, who glanced the ball past Sophia Poor to level the game. The point proved crucial for Rehanne Skinner’s side following Bristol City’s loss to Manchester City later in the day, making it mathematically impossible for Bristol to catch West Ham. XA