Chelsea continue domestic domination as they took the Women’s Super League top spot away from Manchester United on Sunday in a fierce clash at Kingsmeadow.
In a narrow 1-0 victory, Sam Kerr provided the only goal of the game, but being the third match in seven days for the Blues, Hayes said: “That’s our third game in a week and it's three points. We’ve done it, we’ve had injuries and a bit of illness in the squad and to do that and perform like that is exactly what I’d take.
“Players have come into the team and delivered. We knew we would be without the ball, we had to be structured defensively and we were. I think we could’ve won by more.”
With nine shots for the home side, Kerr scored the only goal of the game to grant Chelsea the league top spot in the 23rd minute. At the halfway line, Lauren James delivered a looping ball that connected perfectly with Kerr’s chest. The Australian's second touch fired the ball over the top of Mary Earps and tucked in the left-side upright, in her third attempt on goal. Hayes added: “I honestly don't remember it.”
United did hassle their hosts in a stronger performance than the reverse fixture in November, where Chelsea came away 3-1 winners. Alessia Russo had the best opportunity to equalise from close range but Ann-Katrin Berger got her hands to it.
It was Jessie Fleming who stood out for the Blues manager in the middle of the park. She was solid in the physical battle to best her opponents in Red, keeping Leah Galton and Katie Zelem in check. The 25-year-old also tried to double Chelsea's lead with a magnificent effort from long range sending Earps right into her near post, to cover the top corner.
Hayes said: “She had a magnificent game and she really needed that. I think it will do her confidence wonders. She defines herself on her defending and she’s been working so hard in her physicality and I think that is a performance from all the hours you put in on the training ground, coaches and herself. It was her birthday yesterday.
“What I do know about this group is different players stepping up at different times. [Melanie] Leupolz has played 45 minutes, 80 minutes now 90 minutes in her first week after being out for more than a year, it’s absolutely tremendous.”
The Blues have a week of rest before preparing for their FA Cup quarter-final clash with Reading on Sunday 19th March at the Madejski stadium.
