Emma Hayes may not have been at the game in person but she was definitely there in spirit to ensure that Chelsea made it three consecutive Women's Super League wins against a tough Everton side.
Hayes announced that she had undergone a hysterectomy last week and would be taking some time away from the day-to-day running of the team to recuperate. That didn't stop her being in the ear of assistant manager Denise Reddy throughout Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over Everton at Walton Hall Park.
“She was linked into the bench directly to Denise for the game,” general manager Paul Green revealed. Hayes was not in contact with the players themselves, and Green stated final decisions came down to Reddy and the staff on the touchline but attempting to peel Hayes away from Chelsea completely, would always prove a futile effort.
“I’m sure you all know what sort of character [Emma] is,” Green joked. “I’m sure it was a hard watch at home but I guess when the third goal goes in it is a massive relief. I just hope she didn’t jump off the couch and cause herself any injury. I’m sure she was delighted with a really professional performance by the team. We’ve started this block of games with a win which was the intention.”
Chelsea rode out intense pressure from Everton in the opening stages of Sunday’s league clash before Pernille Harder scored a brace on her first start of the season and Niamh Charles sealed the win in injury time.
Green considered the victory worthy of the performance his side put in and it's a testament to the strength in depth this team boasts, not only on the pitch but also behind the scenes.
“Like I said in the press conference in the week, we are a very experienced group of staff and a very experienced group of players so we are well equipped to deal with the situation," he added.
“Testament to everybody this week and moving forward we will have the confidence to get the results we need during this period to make sure when Emma comes back we are challenging on all fronts. That is the aim and I think everyone has really stepped up this week and will continue to do that in Emma’s absence.”
For Chelsea, the performance was an elaboration of a steadily settling theme that the opening day loss to Liverpool was a blip. Chelsea will look to continue their winning form in their Champions League group stage match against Paris St. Germain on Thursday.
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