Chelsea manager Emma Hayes says that tonight’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League fixture against Manchester City holds a similar level of importance to many games which her side have already played this season.
The Blues go to The Academy Stadium two points clear of City at the top of the table with just three games remaining. Victory would leave Hayes’ side on the verge of another title.
Chelsea have been playing big games on a regular basis since the turn of the year with The Blues competing in important league fixtures, an FA Women’s Continental League Cup final and fixtures in the latter stages of the UEFA Women’s Champions League and Hayes says that the City game is no different.
“No, it’s fair to say it’s a big game but it’s no different test to what we’ve had throughout the year,” Hayes said when asked whether the game was the biggest of the season so far in her pre-match press conference.
“We always knew that we would have to go up there and get a result so we’ve prepared for something that we have expected all along.”
Hayes was also asked whether the game would prove to be a title decider and she wasn’t playing down that fact.
She added “Probably, just two games for both left after that. I think it will for sure be determining the direction it will be heading in.”
Matches involving Chelsea and City have produced four goals per game on average this season. The Blues have won all three of those games. While Hayes believes that tonight’s game will be hugely competitive, she is not taking past records for granted.
“It was nice to get the Community Shield for the first time at Wembley, we enjoyed that experience,” she said. “Winning at home early part of the season, getting points on the board and obviously, winning another Continental Cup was valuable.
“This is the league, it’s a completely different situation and one where everybody knows the game between Man City and Chelsea is always a fiercely competitive game and there’s not a lot in it and it can go either way.”
Chelsea’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League fixture against Manchester City kicks-off at 6pm this evening and will be screened live on BT Sport 1.
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