Hayes focused on Champions League place

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Chelsea Ladies manager Emma Hayes is adamant the team’s main focus still remains ensuring Champions League football again next season.

Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Notts County means the Women’s Super League leaders will qualify for the 2016/17 tournament if they beat Liverpool Ladies in their penultimate game of the season.

Wins over Liverpool and Sunderland, on the final day of the campaign, would secure the title for the first time in the club’s history and complete a league and FA Cup double.

But Hayes said a top-two spot was the priority: “We want to make the Champions League place first. That’s the first goal, nothing else. It’s one match closer to the Champions League.

“If we win the next game, we’ll qualify for that competition again next year. That’s the priority. Nothing else. If we manage to get a good result at Liverpool, then we can talk about winning the league.”

Before travelling for the away game against Liverpool on Saturday, September 26, Chelsea are in Continental Cup action on Sunday, when they are at Birmingham Ladies in the quarter-finals. And there is also an international break before they resume their league campaign.

But Hayes allayed fears that a niggle England left-back Claire Rafferty suffered in the win over Notts was serious.

“She’s fine,” Hayes said. “She will be available for the next game.”

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