Sam Kerr continued her rich vein of form as the striker netted a first-half hat-trick to give her side a 3-0 half-time lead.

Fran Kirby scored a brace either side of a goal she assisted for Guro Reiten as Chelsea secured our sixth straight league victory without conceding.

Our victory completes a perfect week for the Blues after wins against Aston Villa and Wolfsburg and Hayes was impressed with her side's showing following a busy period.

She said: ’It was a performance that the whole squad contributed to. When you play so many games like we do everybody has to be at the same level.

'This was the first game this season where I thought no matter who I put in, there isn’t going to be a drop in standard anywhere.

‘For that reason, it was the complete performance and even harder considering we’ve had to come back from Wednesday’s game so I was delighted with everybody.’

Speaking in a post-match interview after netting twice in last weekend’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa, Kerr was quoted as saying: ‘This is my moment to shine, in the sun,’ and the Australian certainly shone once again as she grabbed her third career hat-trick for the Blues with a first-half treble against Birmingham.

The striker is currently the WSL joint-leading goalscorer on 17 goals and Hayes believes Kerr is hitting new heights in the shirt of Chelsea.

‘That third goal, I thought she was going to leap out of the stadium, she took off!' the boss said.

‘The confidence in her play right now is the best I’ve ever seen from her. She delivers the fatal blow just when the team needs it. That is what is so exceptional.

‘These games can be tricky if you don’t get the first goal early enough. She pounces, cat-like, gazelle-like, in the right moments to put us in the lead.

‘That confidence, that intelligence from her is growing every week and so thoroughly deserving of a hat-trick.’

Chelsea sit two points ahead of Manchester City, with the Blues set to visit Manchester later this month.

With only three fixtures left to play, many will call our clash with City the title decider and Hayes believes her side needs a perfect run if Chelsea are to retain the WSL title.

‘We know how difficult it is going to be. For us to win the title, we have to win every game and that is always a challenge considering our schedule,’ Hayes admitted.

‘I’m full of admiration for the players, to make sure that the levels never drop, because it’s not easy physically. Flying in and out of Hungary twice in a week is virtually two away games and then they’ve got to go on international duty, it’s relentless for the players.

‘Full credit to them against Birmingham to be able to maintain what you call a professional performance.

‘For me they are just standards. I except that behaviour from us and I’m just so pleased to be part of a team that delivers again and again.’