Emma Hayes has guided Chelsea Women to three FA Cup finals since joining the club in 2012 and the Blues boss is hoping her side can go one step closer to another date at Wembley, starting with a victory at Charlton this afternoon.
Hayes led the club to our first major trophy in 2015 when the Blues beat Notts County in the first Women’s FA Cup final to be played at the home of English football, with Ji So-Yun netting the only goal of the game.Fast forward three years and Hayes was back at Wembley for more success in 2018 as Chelsea beat London rivals Arsenal 3-1 thanks to a brace from Ramona Bachmann and a goal from Fran Kirby, and Hayes is hungry for more success in this competition.She said: ‘This is a special competition and one we know very well.‘We’ve won it, but we’ve also lost in the final – and we know all too well the highs and lows from both sides.‘This is another trophy we are desperate to win, so it’s absolutely crucial we get off to the right start as there are no second chances in the FA Cup.’
Chelsea Women will go into this fourth round tie against Championship side Charlton as favourites to win the game but Hayes says her side will approach the game just like any other, despite facing lower-league opposition.She said: ‘Knowing this is an away fixture we are expected to win is something which always raises alarm bells in my head.‘They’re the games people expect you to win and you know you have a world-class squad, so whoever you put out should be able to do it.‘The reality is that I respect the competition, I respect the opponent too much to take the game lightly.’
The Blues next play at home on Sunday 2 February against West Ham United. The WSL fixture kicks off at 2pm and tickets are available to purchase priced at £1 for juniors (under-20) and seniors (under-65) and £9 for adults.