Chelsea confirmed their place in the Champions League last eight with a dominant 4-0 victory over Vllaznia to qualify from Group A.
The WSL table toppers were in control from the off against the Albanian champions, with Sophie Ingle and Fran Kirby scoring inside the first 20 minutes. A late flurry saw two more add gloss to the scoreline, substitute Katerina Svitkova headed in a third goal late on, before Maren Mjelde converted a penalty.
The result ensures Chelsea' s place in the knock-out stage and avoid the heartbreak of the group-stage elimination from last year. Just short of a exactly a year ago, they crashed out after a 4-0 defeat to Wolfsburg despite collecting 11 points.
Back then they went out on head-to-head record, but won't face an anxious wait on the final matchday this time around, after their latest European masterclass. Hayes' side still have one game to spare against PSG, where a draw will assure top spot. And the Chelsea boss said she knew Vllaznia wouldn't give her side an easy ride and that she was delighted to assure qualification.
"I'm delighted to qualify," she said. "It is something we have worked hard on, and something we have worked on from last year.
"Coming here we knew it was going to be tough against a side who didn't leave their penalty area. It was really difficult. But everyone in the side really contributed, we got two early goals and everyone got lots of minutes with no injuries.
"Now it's about finishing the job against PSG at Stamford Bridge."
Hayes made changes from the side that beat Reading in the WSL last weekend, with Sam Kerr returning to the side at the expense of Beth England and rested both Millie Bright and first-choice keeper Ann-Katrin Berger. Zecira Musović and Aniek Nouwen were both given run-outs as Chelsea cruised to a fourth victory of the group stage.
And Hayes praised the patience of her squad players. "There are players who have been really patient without playing time," she added. "The good thing for me is that when I put players on, what we’re learning everyday is applied in the games even for those players without regular minutes.
"Our squad depth has always been a strength of ours, but I feel the quality in the way we control games now is different than previous years.
"We didn’t get out of second gear but we have to credit Vllaznia too, they made it difficult."
Although the Blues will be in the knock-out stage regardless of the result, Hayes will be keen to ensure they end 2022 on a winning note when hosting PSG next Thursday at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea must avoid defeat to top Group A, which could see them avoid the likes of Barcelona and Wolfsburg in the last eight.
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