HOT CROSS WITH GUNS

Hayes blasts Arsenal boss for ‘male aggression’ as trophy win marred by flare-up on touchline

CHELSEA boss Emma Hayes claims Arsenal chief Jonas Eidevall’s “male aggresion” should have seen him sent off in the Blues Conti Cup final defeat.

Hayes says Eidevall had conducted himself “inappropriately” on the touchline, and not for the first time.

Stina Blackstenius supplied the match-winning goal for Arsenal in the dying minutes of extra-time in a fraught contest with few moments of quality.

At the final whistle, a fevered rivalry looked to have reached boiling point as Hayes and Eidevall appeared to engage in a small fracas as the Chelsea boss shoved her opposite number away and pointed her finger accusingly.

Tensions had flared after Eidevall appeared to enter into a tussle with Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert after a ball went out of play in normal time.

“There’s a way to conduct yourself on the touchline,” Hayes said.

“I’m not down for male aggression on the touchline, fronting up to players. It’s unacceptable. It’s not OK to behave like that. He got a yellow card, he probably should’ve been sent off. It’s not the first time he’s acted in that manner.”

Eidevall claimed the post-match bust-up occurred due to an argument over the use of multi-ball system for throw-ins, claiming Chelsea were opposed to it until “it suits them”.

“But it’s all good I think, it’s just in the heat of the moment,” he added.

Chelsea entered Sunday’s match with their bid for a historic quadruple still alive but defeat at Molineux saw Hayes’ send-off before her move to the USA spoiled by their arch-rivals.

Play was halted after Arsenal midfielder Frida Maanum collapsed on the pitch in injury time of regular time.

The Norway international received oxygen and left on a stretcher after treatment. The club confirmed shortly after that she is stable and talking.