Despite heavy downpour, the Blues produced a professional performance at Bristol City’s Twerton Park, with all of our forwards contributing with goals. Fran Kirby got us underway early on with a headed effort at the front post, Pernille Harder extended our lead with a powerful strike and our No.14 bagged a brace by half-time from close range.Sam Kerr netted her 11th goal of the Women’s Super League campaign with her head and Bethany England, who assisted her Australian team-mate, got on the scoresheet herself as she poked home at the back post.‘I’m really pleased, we came out the blocks really well,’ Hayes said post-match. ‘I was grateful for when the goal came because for the amount of chances we created sometimes the game can then take a different swing but it didn’t.‘It was a well-worked corner for Fran at the front post and I thought the first half performance from the team in terms of how we moved the ball was good as the pitch was wet and it was difficult.‘Our one- and two-touch play was as good as I’ve seen it and I’m happy with the performance, I’m happy with the result.‘I thought we limited them [Bristol] to not very much but at the same time I thought we carved them open in the first half, we could have come in seven or eight nil at half-time but that’s the most disappointing part of the game.‘I just don’t think we’re as clinical as we should be but on the back of a lot of games it was a great way to wrap up a big spell by us,’ Hayes continued.

Hayes hailed the team’s togetherness and noted how the squad is gelling together to produce such commanding performances. She was impressed with her forwards' efforts, while noting that England is returning to her best form.‘We’re really starting to find our stride and the players are getting more and more comfortable with each other.‘Last weekend was a blip for us and in the grand scheme of things we’ve been outstanding and I hope that continues.‘We’ve been working hard, believe it or not, on our defending and I want to make sure we understand our organisation out of possession. We’ve been working in the little details that will improve us.‘We’ve seen Pernille settling into the team, Fran’s coming up with a couple of goals which is helpful and you’ve seen Beth is getting back to her best levels.‘It’s taken a while this season but that’s what I expect from Beth and I’m really pleased with the work Beth has been doing in training to really push, she’s taken on board all the feedback about what she has to do to get to the next step and I want to say that I’m proud of her as this is the Beth England that we all know.‘Going into the last stage of the season it’s providing some much competition for places that everybody is at a good level and I also thought Sam again was outstanding, her work rate and always happy when strikers get goals.‘We put together a team of players that we know will work but we also know it takes time and we’ve got to be patient with that and it’s got to be put around a structure to make it work.‘If there’s one thing I’ve done in my time is that I evolve the team and find new solutions and I found a way of playing with this group of players that is suiting us so it’s gelling at the right time which is great.’

The Chelsea boss also took the time to praise Kirby who is currently in incredible form, having taken her goal tally to 14 in all competitions, making her the Blues’ top scorer.‘Fran was disappointed she came of the pitch because she wanted a hat-trick, so she won’t be happy about that but Fran is doing everything that is asked, she goes above and beyond.‘Fran is so clever, she can play probably five positions for this team and that’s a special gift, not many can do that.‘Fran wants to be remembered as someone who wants to do absolutely anything for the team and will make sure she drives the standards for the team.’