Chelsea put their off-field issues apart as they comfortably beat West Ham to maneuver 5 factors away from WSL leaders Arsenal, with two video games in hand.
The WSL champions, whose Russian proprietor Roman Abramovich has been positioned underneath sanctions by the British authorities, weren’t distracted from their London rivals regardless of Blues coach Emma Hayes admitting earlier than the match that it was a “tough day”.
Chelsea scored two targets in two minutes as Pernell Tougher scored two targets within the opening match (21) earlier than Niamh Charles’s shot from lengthy vary (23) didn’t give West Ham goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold an opportunity.
Tougher scored her second purpose within the thirty second minute after Su Yun Jie fired an exhilarating shot over West Ham’s protection.
The hosts diminished the distinction simply three minutes into the second half by way of Danny Bringersdottir, however hopes of a comeback have been dashed when Sam Kerr scored within the 63rd minute.
The win sees Chelsea get well from Saturday’s League Cup ultimate defeat towards Manchester Metropolis to keep up their protection of the WSL title.
In the meantime, West Ham retain eighth place after their 10-game unbeaten residence run is now over.
Hayes on Abramovich’s penalties: It was a troublesome day
Chelsea supervisor Emma Hayes Sky Sports activities Earlier than the match on the penalties for Abramovich:
“There isn’t any denying that it’s a tough day, however I feel it will be significant that we give it time. The membership has issued an announcement and I perceive the membership is working with the federal government to research the interpretation of that. I feel for all of the questions everybody has – gamers, followers and workers – we have now to offer The membership has time to work by way of it.
“I feel it is solely applicable for the gamers to have the ability to cease for 90 minutes on a troublesome day.
“I do know from my finish that I’m the captain of this group and we must undergo a tough interval and one through which I haven’t got all of the solutions, however I undoubtedly have an awesome dressing room, wonderful followers and incredible workers on the membership who deserve the perfect of us this night.”
When requested in regards to the ban on transfers and the introduction of recent contracts for gamers, she mentioned: “There’s a lot that we have no idea. There could also be gamers who’ve already agreed to affix the membership or gamers whose contracts have expired and we have no idea the potential affect of that.”
“What I do know is DCMS will work by way of this with the membership and possibly assist the membership educate DCMS a little bit bit extra about how the golf equipment work and what we have to do, and we’re undoubtedly collaborating with that. I count on that with each query that comes every single day we are going to get extra solutions and in the present day will not be in the present day Which I’m receiving these solutions in. What I do know is that I’m actually trying ahead to the 90 minute layover.”
Requested how the scenario would have an effect on the locker room, Hayes replied: “We’re human. We all know it. We’re going by way of a extremely robust time. There is a battle happening in Ukraine, a troublesome day for the soccer membership. Sure, we misplaced a recreation.” [Saturday’s League Cup final defeat against Man City] However within the grand scheme of issues, it is not the top of the world.
“I do know the gamers as human beings and I do know them as actors and all I ask is that they do their finest, take 90 minutes off work, concentrate on the job they’re doing and be happy with the soccer membership.”
Then speak to Hayes Sky Sports activities After profitable:
“It was nice to consider soccer! I assumed we have been particular within the first half; the best way we moved the ball, the best way we solved issues collectively. I assumed we completely deserved the lead within the first half.
“I simply noticed the best way we got here out, he gave us an opportunity to simply take pleasure in one thing for an hour and a half and we did. The women seemed like that they had enjoyable. It was a extremely good efficiency.
“We love profitable soccer matches. No disrespect however we do not wish to sit right here and speak about different issues, we wish to speak about how we rating targets. Sadly, there was lots of concentrate on issues apart from soccer, so it was so good to get A chance to concentrate on what’s taking place on the pitch.”
What then?
West Ham will journey to Birmingham within the Girls’s Tremendous League on Sunday. Match kicks off at 2 pm. Chelsea’s subsequent recreation might be at residence towards Aston Villa on the identical day. The sport kicks off at one within the afternoon.