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Was there a question mark after former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes announced her departure?

Who could succeed the woman who had won five consecutive Women’s Super League titles and 14 significant titles in 12 years?

The end of a time, an invitation to Chelsea’s rivals, and a new set of difficulties.

However, those ideas still popped up when celebrations broke out at Leigh Sports Village a year later after Chelsea won the league again with a 1-0 win over Manchester United. They still sounded foolish.

Sonia Bompastor, Hayes’ successor, turned around, fist-pumped and roared toward her staff before unwrapping a flag to give her players to celebrate with.

Chelsea’s performance in Manchester on Wednesday night lacked the air of inevitability.

It would be incorrect to say that they were hoping to capture their sixth straight WSL title. Bompastor acknowledged that they had not considered adding that Chelsea would gain from losing at Aston Villa.

Instead, this was a herd of wounded animals, all but recovered from their Champions League humiliation on Sunday.

Chelsea’s routine continued to be effective when word of the club’s 5-2 defeat to Aston Villa eventually spread to the Leigh Sports Village supporters.

As the players warmed up, Bompastor appeared to be assuming they had no idea what was going on elsewhere while standing with their arms crossed.

Chelsea were getting ready for the job, in their typical, ruthless state.

The outpouring of emotion that followed their re-entry as champions 90 minutes later was stark contrasted.

When Lucy Bronze scored the game’s only goal in the 74th minute, the crowd sang “Chelsea, champions” on repeat until the very end.

Chelsea did what needed to be done, even when they weren’t playing at their best, as they have done so frequently this season.

They have been criticized for being “Mentality monsters” lately, and they have done it frequently this season.

More than any other WSL team, 33% of their total goals were scored in the final 15 minutes of play.

Only Manchester City have ever won more from positions lost in games, despite also having eight points after coming from behind.

In essence, Chelsea always had the better chance of winning because they had won the previous five WSL titles, had the biggest league budget, and had made significant investment during the transfer window.

They are champions because of how much money they have spent. Chelsea ran as the chasing pack bouyed from their self-aggrandizement.

Bompastor was taken from French power Lyon by Chelsea after Hayes left and one of the best coaches in Europe.

Manchester City pressured them to the brink last season by signing Champions League winners Bronze and Keira Walsh from Barcelona, who won their fifth consecutive title on goal difference.

After falling to Manchester City in the Champions League, they bounced back and defeated them in the league a few days later, scoring a stoppage-time winner against Liverpool to advance to the Women’s FA Cup final.

With two trophies already in the bag, they have created a squad that can face challenges on all domestic fronts. They are also on track to win the Treble this year.

Is the gap between Chelsea and the rest of the WSL growing? Its unbeaten season and their points total suggest otherwise.

Bompastor said on Wednesday that Chelsea’s mentality has been a “massive part” in their success, but she also has a leadership role.

Bompastor has always remained calm and never appeared out of place despite being under the weight of expectation and wearing big boots.

Similarity could be seen in Bompastor and Hayes as Liverpool’s men celebrated winning the Premier League trophy just days before – Arne Slot triumphing in Jurgen Klopp’s well-laid foundations.

The Frenchwoman was aware of the depth, talent, and experience of her squad when she arrived in London. Her goal was to improve them even more.

Bompastor has consistently said “perfection” and “the ideal,” but she is aware that it will take practice.

She talked about wanting perfection and developing a true identity for the upcoming season and about always wanting more.

Even though the disappointment of their Champions League exit weighs heavily, she can have no complaints about their success in England in a short amount of time.

Bompastor has made tactical adjustments, including allowing for more ball possession, more aggressive press, and less direct ball-handling.

She has incorporated newcomers, elevated winger Sandy Baltimore to full-back, and tasked 19-year-old midfielder Wieke Kaptein with responsibility.

Bompastor’s personality is perhaps his biggest contrast to Hayes’ time.

Bompastor is occasionally understated, despite Hayes frequently playing mind games, keeping people on their toes, and using her platform to challenge conventions.

Although her celebrations for the title appeared subdued, she is a “simple person” and will cherish special time with her family in London, as she herself described them.

Bompastor already has her sights on the Treble, so “a little bit” of champage and some chocolate might be in order.

She thanked Hayes for her contributions in her post-match media conference despite being aware of her accomplishments but humble enough to acknowledge her involvement.

Bompastor began to reflect on both Chelsea’s successes from the past and what might be in store for the future.

A match happens once every few minutes and will stick in the memory for a while long after the break.

A treat and a football feast. In the opening game of their Champions League semi-final, Barcelona and Inter Milan drew with a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock described the battle as “an amazing battle that almost seemed to take place in a boxing match.”

“Barca and Inter were set up very differently, and it turned out to be a really fun game.”

Ally McCoist, a former Rangers striker, described tonight as “just special, special to be here watching those two teams.”

This evening, some unbelievable football has been played.

Barcelona was the subject of a lot of conversation during the build-up to this game.

Their risky high line, ability to score a lot of goals with a strong front three, and prospects for a future generation of elite players from their prestigious La Masia academy.

Everything changed after the first leg at the Nou Camp, which lasted 30 seconds.

The home crowd was stunned when Marcus Thuram’s deft backheel finish was the fastest goal ever scored in a Champions League semifinal.

However, Inter knew one goal would not suffice against a team capable of scoring numerous goals, so they did, and Denzel Dumfries’ remarkable overhead kick, which came on 21 minutes later, set the tone for the home team once more.

A Barcelona side’s first-ever Champions League title challenge was not in the script for the team’s attempt to reach it for the first time in ten years.

Everyone believed that once Inter won a 2-0 lead, they would shut down, and we wouldn’t see much more than another outstanding defensive effort, said Warnock.

The Serie A side were able to capitalize on Inter’s recent Champions League performance, which saw them concede just five goals. Barcelona’s high-line tactics exposed their own defensive weaknesses.

Barcelona needed an immediate resurgence after trailing by two after 21 minutes.

Enter Lamine Yamal.

It took the teenager, who was making his 100th club appearance, just three minutes to stand up for his team and create magic to re-engage them.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan was left in his wake when Yamal slammed into the penalty box with a majestic left-footed finish that ricocheted off the post and into the net to start the comeback.

It was easy to overlook Yamal’s age when “Giving the Ball to Yamal” became a clear strategy for Barcelona. He quickly took control of the game, pinging balls into the area, and making himself available in forward positions all the time.

After Raphinha nodded on Pedri’s diagonal cross, Ferran Torres scored the equalizer at close range in the 38th minute.

After what had been a mesmerizing opening 45 minutes, the anticipation was high when parity was restored just in time for the break.

Expectations were high for a similarly entertaining second half as both fans and neutrals were on the edge of their seats after this gripping encounter.

After scoring three stunning goals that would have guaranteed a Champions League title for any team, Inter’s goal, which was a straightforward corner routine, almost gave off a sense of disappointment.

Dumfries’ highest rise met Hakan Calhanoglu’s corner at the back post, highlighting Barca’s defensive struggles.

Inter aren’t the most dynamic team, and they lack the most dynamic pace, but there was still a way for them to hurt Barca, Warnock claimed.

They have a lot of experience in their team, which is why they are the oldest in the Champions League, and they showed that tonight by being clever enough to keep opening up Barca.

In a high-drama scenario, Inter chose the seventh-old starting XI for a Champions League semi-final match, which was 30 years and 56 days old.

The impression is that Barcelona should have been able to produce a better result, Barcelona forward Raphinha told Movistar Plus.

We can’t deny that many goals, especially at home. Yes, you must commend our opponents who are strong and played well tonight, but we are Barca, and winning at home is our responsibility.

Inter, who have lost three consecutive games to city rivals AC Milan and dropped second in Serie A, were determined to keep the lead.

“Barca were prepared to attack and take the game to Inter, but their high-line left them vulnerable at the back,” Warnock said.

Sometimes all you need is someone to take a chance when you have three goals at home and have a chance to travel to the San Siro.

Raphinha tapped the ball 25 yards out, hamming it into the back of the net with a touch off the bar, and sending goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s back.

Before Raphinha’s equalizer brought Barcelona level for the second time in the match, Inter had led for all 114 seconds.

Raphinha has been the main focus for Barca throughout the campaign, despite the fact that Yamal may have been the star of the show on Wednesday. Although the Brazilian’s performance has not been given credit, his success has been largely attributed to him.

Hansi Flick, the Barcelona manager, said, “I really appreciate what we did today.

Mkhitaryan poked home in the 75th minute after realizing he had found a fourth goal, but the video assistant referee decided against it due to an agonizingly tight offside.

The first leg of a Champions League semi-final game was 3-3 draw between Dynamo Kyiv and Bayern Munich, which was the joint-highest score draw in the same match without that.

The visitors will feel confident that they were able to match Barca’s three goals on a thrilling night of football, with the result of a mouthwatering second leg in Milan the following week.

We saw the real Inter tonight, according to Inter goalscorer Dumfries, who had lost three in a row.

Watch highlights of every Champions League game on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport, and the BBC Sport website and app from 12:00 to eve of the match.

Chelsea plays against themselves just like any other team in the Women’s Super League.

The Blues won their sixth consecutive WSL title on Wednesday night with a score of 1-0 at Manchester United, their first under new manager Sonia Bompastor.

Handshakes and hugs, rather than tears of joy, may have contributed to the somewhat muted celebrations at full-time.

The Champions League is another area where Chelsea continue to look for the holy grail.

Three days after Barcelona’s third consecutive season of failing to win a first European title, the Blues were awarded this title, and Barcelona won 8-2 overall, more comprehensively than ever.

How can Chelsea make sure this title win stands out among the others and that this season, which could result in a domestic treble of the WSL, League Cup, and FA Cup, is not somehow viewed as a disappointment?

After scoring the winner at Leigh Sports Village, Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze said, “We wanted to be unbeaten.”

“We have a good feeling about our season because we are unbeaten this year, so we knew there were still two things to play for.” Before the game, we were aware of Arsenal’s weaknesses and what we needed, but we also vowed to keep the league title in tact all season long.

Only three previous unbeaten teams have won the WSL, including Chelsea themselves in 2018, Manchester City in 2016, and Arsenal in 2012, respectively.

Over the current 22-game season format, however, it has never been done. Chelsea will have opened new ground if they avoid losing to Tottenham on Sunday, May 10th, when they travel to Liverpool.

Bompastor will have to deal with the repercussions of such a subpar Champions League exit, but he can still claim the most comprehensive WSL title in history.

At Leigh Sports Village, Ambassador Bertpastrelli stated at the post-game press conference, “I always look for perfection and the ideal.”

I want to keep a clean sheet because I told my players defensively and out of position. I want to compete with one another. We discussed how to manage the depth, how to be compact, how to win the duels, and how to win the second balls. All of these details are included.

“I never feel satisfied,” he said. I’m already focused on the treble and the other finals even after winning.

Since Laura Harvey took Arsenal to the top of the inaugural league in 2011, Bompastor has become the first manager to win the WSL title in their first season.

Everyone at Chelsea anticipates that you will win the league, she said. The competition is higher here than it was in Lyon, he says. It’s difficult to do it in my first season to be able to do it for Chelsea for six consecutive years.

It’s “too easy for Chelsea,” I heard, but it’s not! I don’t understand how people can believe that when you can go two ways and still be unbeaten, defeating Manchester City, Arsenal, and Manchester United. It is incredible.

Don’t believe it to be simple. Never easy, ever. It’s a great accomplishment and a lot of daily tasks. My players are not allowed to breathe.

“I want to thank Emma [Hayes],” she said. She must be delighted to receive our title tonight, I assure her. She left the club with a fantastic location to expand on what she had accomplished.

Chelsea hasn’t always let down rival teams this campaign; they have scored fewer goals than second-placed Arsenal, and no other player has ever recorded double figures.

Their league campaign was capped on Wednesday night. Before half-time, when Millie Bright appeared to trip Grace Clinton, United had more shots, a higher xG, and a very strong shout for a penalty. Hannah Hampton, the player of the match, made five saves for Chelsea.

However, they discover a way to triumph and triumph. Importantly, avoid losing.

“I always wanted to win trophies when I first joined this club,” Hampton told the BBC. It is amazing that we have won the title twice in the two seasons I’ve been here. It never gets old. It’ll never get old as long as we keep winning.

Chelsea currently has three games left before the FA Cup final against Manchester United on May 18 and two league games before that.

It would be a remarkable accomplishment to leave it unbeaten domestically.