Goals from Jelena Cankovic, Guro Reiten and Sam Kerr secured three valuable points which saw us move into second place in the league table, one point behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand.

We played with purpose and intensity from the off and opened the scoring when Cankovic prodded home from close range on 22 minutes. Reiten doubled our advantage with a clinical finish before the break before Kerr netted her 50th Barclays WSL goal in emphatic style just before the hour mark.

There was fresh energy and impetus about our play despite the hectic schedule we have endured since the start of March. Hayes was full of praise for her team’s ability to dig deep and find that something extra when it matters most.

‘I mentioned beforehand how greatness comes through struggle,’ Hayes reiterated. 'I reminded the players before the game that it’s absolutely critical to remember the brain science triggers us to improve.

‘If you trust the brain science you have to accept that discomfort, sometimes not being at your best, means you’re either going to dig deep and find something else in yourself or settle for what you’ve already done. This team keep finding another level.’

Having surpassed 100 appearances for the Blues earlier this month, Kerr reached another significant milestone by scoring that 50th league goal – a thunderous finish and our third of the evening. Hayes was quick to highlight what the Australian gives to us.

‘Everything to this team because we can count on her. She has been fit and available. She’s been the only out-and-out striker this half of the season. She’s been a player ever since she’s been here, she’s on the grass all the time, she’s training.

‘It’s been really challenging for us but with someone like Sam, she not only makes the difference on the pitch, but she does it off the pitch.’

Three points separate first and fourth spot in the table going into the international break. With plenty of experience challenging for titles, Hayes knows that consistency is key and wants to see her team maintain high levels of performance.

‘We want to make it interesting, it’s good for the game. Nobody knows what’s going to happen. I just know that if our team show up like they did in this game, then we will certainly put ourselves in a better position.’