Hayes: Last season now out of Chelsea’s system

TWO goals in two second-half minutes, including a stunning strike from So-Yun Ji, saw Chelsea come from behind to beat West Ham 3-1 and move top of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League table.

West Ham had gone ahead when Adriana Leon fired home seconds after coming on as a substitute.

But Chelsea fought back and, after Sophie Ingle drew her side level, Ji produced a brilliant longrange effort to put them in front.

The West Londoners secured their victory when Drew Spence powered home with the final kick of the game.

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said: “This time last year we were out of the league race. That was really hard to take – we’ve carried that burden for 12 months. Today it feels like last season is finally over.

“We seem to like to go a goal behind and that’s something I have to reflect on. We’ve done it on three separate occasions this year. That puts a lot of pressure on a manager. I’m just pleased with the squad. Once again players came off the bench to push the team forwards. It was an unbelievable win.

“I don’t care about our position in the league. I don’t look at it. It’s not important. If you start focusing on that then you stop training hard. We better get out there tomorrow and train harder than we did last week.”

In a cagey opening half hour, Chelsea’s best opportunities fell to Bethany England, who hit the crossbar with a deflected strike after

Ingle had opened up West Ham’s compact back line.

But the Hammers grew in confidence and should have gone ahead when Maria Thomas delivered a low ball across the six-yard box that Alisha Lehmann could only blaze over the bar.

After the break, as the game opened up, West Ham coach Matt Beard introduced Leon and was rewarded immediately as the substitute fired the home side ahead with her first touch.

Thomas’ powerful strike was parried by Chelsea keeper Ann-Katrin Berger into Leon’s path, who finished with aplomb.

The goal seemed to rouse Chelsea who, after Millie Bright had hit the crossbar, equalised on 70 minutes when Ingle side-footed into the roof of the net after England’s cut back.

And two minutes later the game turned on its head in spectacular fashion when Ji rifled in a sensational second. The South Korean picked up the ball 30 yards from goal, stepped inside onto her right foot and unleashed a stunning strike into the top right corner.

The game was put beyond West Ham’s reach by Spence in the final minute when her low strike ensured Chelsea leapfrogged Manchester City at the top of the table.

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