Chelsea boss Emma Hayes expects a reaction from her players on Wednesday evening following their disappointing Conti Cup final loss to Arsenal on Sunday.
The Blues have no time to dwell as they're back in Women's Super League action just a few days later with the visit of Brighton at Kingsmeadow. The Seagulls are a team Emma Hayes' side have already beaten 2-0 this season and they'll hope for another three points this time around.
Sunday spelt a disappointing end to their Conti Cup campaign as London rivals Arsenal claimed a 3-1 victory at Selhurst Park to clinch the silverware. However, Chelsea are still in a healthy position in the league table and they'll look to build on that on Wednesday night.
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"You just want to go again and we just have to be ready for Wednesday," Hayes told the media this week. "We are at home and for us the focus has to be back onto the league.
"The team is disappointed. Everyone is disappointed with the way we performed on Sunday. So I expect there'll be a reaction from the group. That's what I hold so dearly about this team is that I know there will be a response."
Wednesday night's opponents Brighton have only recently parted ways with their manager for a second time this season. Former Bayern Munich boss Jens Scheuer took charge after they parted company with Hope Powell earlier in the campaign.
However, he lasted just six games in charge as the Seagulls still find themselves struggling at the bottom end of the table. The club announced on Tuesday he was to leave his position by mutual consent.
Amy Merricks, supported by Perry Northeast, have taken charge as interim for a second time this term ahead of the clash with Chelsea. Brighton are currently 11th in the standings, just two points clear of Leicester City, although they've played the least amount of games compared to their rivals.
Brighton's form since January has seen them lose two of their three league fixtures, while they have recorded big wins over lower-league opposition in the FA Cup. For Chelsea, they've suffered just one defeat so far in 2023, which was the Conti Cup final against Arsenal.
Hayes will still be without Pernille Harder for this fixture, while it may also come too soon for Fran Kirby as the Chelsea boss confirmed last Friday she may need a week to see how she responded to an injection for her knee injury.
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