Chelsea manager Emma Hayes was full of praise for her side’s performance after they defeated Arsenal 3-1 at Stamford Bridge last night.
The Blues came out for the first half full of energy and they put away three goals before the interval. Arsenal did pull a goal back late in the game but it was little consolation as Chelsea went three points clear at the league summit.
When speaking to the media after the match, Chelsea boss Hayes said that she was pleased with the result but admitted that the scoreline was of secondary importance.
“I was invested in the performance,” Hayes said. “I was more interested in that than I was anything else because I felt at the Emirates [in the reverse fixture], we really let ourselves down with the basics.
“We started this game the better, we were aggressive, particularly with our first and second balls.”
Forward Lauren James again starred for The Blues, picking up the Player of the Match award after scoring the game’s opening goal. Commenting on James’ performance, Hayes hinted that she knew that the youngster could deliver on the big stage at Stamford Bridge yet again.
“It is a playground for her out there,” Hayes said. “I thought she played with joy, she played with freedom when the ball came to her feet and she can carry the weight of the crowd.”
An attendance of 32,970 was recorded at Stamford Bridge, an all-time high for a women’s team home fixture. Hayes highlighted the advantage that having a huge home crowd gave her side.
She said “There’s an atmosphere. The women’s game is growing and it was fun to see.
“Tonight felt like a home advantage for us, so that’s why it should be a celebration for all the people off the pitch who have worked to fill the stands because it really made a difference for the team.”
Chelsea are next in action on Tuesday evening when they travel to Amsterdam to face Ajax in the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals.
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