Chelsea boss Emma Hayes could return to the touchline for the Blues' next Women's Super League clash against Tottenham, just five weeks after announcing she had undergone an emergency hysterectomy.
In a statement on October 13, Hayes, o pened up about her battle with endometriosis and revealed she would be taking temporary leave from her post as part of her recovery. General manager Paul Green and assistant coach Denise Reddy have been deputising for Hayes in her absence, however Green has confirmed the 46-year-old is likely to make a comeback at Stamford Bridge on November 20.
"The way they’ve come through it and won every game is a testament to all the players and staff - the things that Emma has put in place," Green said after Chelsea's emphatic 3-1 victory over Manchester United on Sunday evening.
"We’ll welcome Emma Hayes back on the touchline for the game against Tottenham."
The Blues have now won six consecutive league games following their shock opening day defeat to newly-promoted Liverpool, and Hayes was watching on proudly at home as goals from Sam Kerr, Lauren James and Erin Cuthbert helped to sink United at Leigh Sports Village.
Hayes tweeted: “Watching games at home with intermittent internet. I can’t cope. I’m so ready to go back to work but what a team, staff, players and fans we have.
"Everyone has been amazing. So so proud. And I can’t do this home watching for much longer.”
United went into yesterday's contest having won all five of their WSL games without conceding a single goal, however Chelsea scored twice in four minutes to end the Red Devils' perfect start to the season. Sam Kerr opened the scoring, firing her shot into the bottom corner past goalkeeper Mary Earps.
The Australian then turned provider for former United forward, Lauren James, who coolly found the back of the net on 64 minutes. United pulled one back through Lioness Alessia Russo, however Erin Cuthbert capped off a professional Chelsea performance with her deflected strike in stoppage time.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Green said: “Lauren James is a top player. This season, she’s been electric, and you saw it again tonight. Every time she got the ball, you expected something to happen and she was the real bright spark for us. She thoroughly deserved the goal.
“We found a way in the second half, and when we went 2-0 up, I thought some of the football we played was outstanding. We thoroughly deserved the win.”
Chelsea now move level on points with Arsenal at the top of the WSL while United drop to third.
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