‘We won’t deviate from our mindset’, says Emma Hayes as Chelsea focus on WSL title push in final stretch of season
EMMA HAYES vowed Chelsea players will not get ahead of themselves as they chase a FOURTH title triumph in a row.
Blues boss Hayes expects a tough run-in — starting on Sunday night when they host Everton following a hard-fought 2-1 win over Liverpool.
The third-placed Kingsmeadow aces currently trail WSL leaders Manchester United by four points.
But, crucially, they have two games in hand on the Red Devils and Manchester City, who are a point better off.
Hayes, 45, said: “This part of a season is always really tough — even more so with a World Cup on the horizon.
“But we’ve got a gutsy group that loves winning trophies.
“Wins like Wednesday night will give us the confidence we can keep going and achieve our goals.
“One thing we won’t be doing is getting ahead of ourselves in any way.
“The end might be in sight this season but we won’t deviate from our mindset of taking each game as it comes.
“That starts with Everton and it’s all about taking care of the performance. If you do that, you’ll get your reward.”
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Hayes was absent from the reverse fixture last October — which Chelsea won 3-1 — as she recovered from an emergency hysterectomy.
Vice-captain Millie Bright is unavailable, with Hayes revealing the player has a small chance of returning in the next few weeks.
But she is confident the England defender, who is battling a knee problem, will be ready for this summer’s World Cup.
Everton, who are sixth, hope for a strong finish to the season.
Asked about facing Chelsea, boss Brian Sorensen said: “We’ll try to play our style of football.”