Harder’s magnificent solo goal gave the Blues a 2-0 lead at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday and her role in our victory was rewarded with the Barclays FA Women’s Player of the Match award.

Sam Kerr netted a double before Drew Spence and Jessie Fleming scored late on to complete a memorable afternoon for Chelsea and Harder was delighted with the team’s ruthlessness in front of goal.

She said: ‘It was a great win. Winning 6-1 against Manchester United, it shows how strong we are at the moment.

‘The players coming into the game, the impact they had, coming in working hard and scoring goals, that’s why we win 6-1.

‘We were very clinical. We didn’t dominate the whole game, but with all the chances that we had, we were clinical. We had good shots and good finishing so that’s a big improvement from the last game.’

Spence had only been on the pitch three minutes before she scored Chelsea’s fifth, while Fleming entered the action with 12 minutes remaining and scored her first goal for the club in stoppage time.

Another substitute Bethany England was involved in both goals and Harder believes the strength in depth within the Blues squad will benefit the side going into Wednesday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Birmingham City.

She added: ‘We have so many games coming up so it’s important that we have a big squad and a strong squad. I believe that will be a benefit us this season.

‘I expect them [Birmingham] to work hard and they will make it difficult for us. It’s another tournament so you have another mindset when you go into it so I don’t think they will take their defeats with them. It will be a new start so they will give everything.

‘I’m looking very much forward to it. It’s another title we will do everything to win.’

Hoping to book our place in last season’s FA Cup semi-finals, Chelsea travel to Birmingham City on Wednesday for a 7.45pm kick-off at St Andrews. The clash will be available to watch live on the FA Player.