Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has challenged her team to kick on from Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Arsenal by picking up three more points at home to Manchester City on Sunday (Staines Town FC, KO 2pm).
The Blues have enjoyed a busy but successful week to date, booking their spot in the Continental Cup semi-final courtesy of a 13-0 mauling of London Bees last weekend before edging out Arsenal to consolidate second spot in the FA WSL 1 table.
The action continues this weekend with an in-form Manchester City side travelling to Wheatsheaf Park, fresh from beating Notts County 1-0 on Thursday to make it seven wins in their last eight matches.
And while Hayes was delighted to get the better of Arsenal, she insists the players will not be dwelling on the win as they bid to keep pace with league leaders Birmingham City.
‘We had a fantastic win against Arsenal on Wednesday night but our heads were immediately thinking about Manchester City as soon as the final whistle went,’ she said.
‘They are a good, solid, organised team and have made a promising start to their debut season but we are playing at home and coming off the back of the Arsenal win and qualifying for the Continental Cup semi-final I hope we have the confidence going in to the game to get another three points.
‘We respect every opponent in this league, you only have to look at how tight games are to see you have to do that, but if we are going to continue to aim for a top-four finish then we need to pick up points at home.’
Victory over Arsenal could prove a pivotal moment in the Blues’ season with the north London side having beaten Hayes’ charges twice this season in the FA Women’s Cup semi-final and Continental Cup group phase.
On Wednesday however it was a different story with Yuki Ogimi and Ji So-Yun on target before the Gunners pulled one back through Kelly Smith to set up a tense finish with the Blues holding on to clinch the crucial three points.
‘Of course it was nice to beat Arsenal, we scored two fantastic goals and have kept the pressure on Birmingham which is all I wanted,’ added Hayes.
‘I said at half-time ‘keep going, have the belief’ and straight away came two goals back-to-back.
‘We changed a few things round and we’ve worked really hard at showing up in the big games and the team did that I’m proud of them.
‘I wanted them to have a performance, and wanted them to play well. We have, but as I say we move forward to Manchester City straight away.’
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