Chelsea boss warns Everton fans to be ‘realistic’ after league thrashing
EMMA Hayes believes people are ‘mad’ to think Everton can win the Barclays FA Women’s Super League in the near future, after leading Chelsea to a 4-0 win against the Toffees.
Sam Kerr bagged a brace and was joined on the scoresheet by England’s Fran Kirby and Beth England in a comfortable win for the reigning champions.
Everton have not been shy about their ambitions this season, with nine new signings joining the club this summer, including 18-year-old Swedish midfielder Hanna Bennison for a club record fee.
Four-time BFAWSL-winning manager Hayes believes her own experience has shown that the Toffees will need time, despite significant investment on playing and backroom staff.
“People are mad to think that Everton can quickly win the league,” she said.
“People within our team have been together for 10 years, and it takes time to build what they’re trying to do.
“I was afforded time in the beginning and although that changes with investment you have to be realistic.
“Look how long it’s taken Arsenal to get back to the right level – everyone needs to be calm and patient.
“Our build-up play in general was excellent, and we worked to improve our shape from last week to now – fair play to the whole team for the clean sheet.
“1-0 wasn’t a fair reflection of the game in the first half, and we should’ve been more clinical throughout the game.
“For the amount of shots we had it shouldn’t have been 4-0. I’m happier with the clean sheet.”
Chelsea dominated the game from the early stages, and they could have gone ahead when captain Magdalena Eriksson headed an Erin Cuthbert corner just wide.
It was just 1-0 at half-time after Kirby opened the scoring with a classy finish, before Kerr bagged her double shortly after the break. Substitute England added a fourth from close range with her first touch after coming up to put Everton to the sword.
Hayes added: “We knew it’d be a tough opening fixture seeing as Arsenal had more games under their belt.
“I don’t panic, I don’t worry. I don’t get too high with a win or too low with a loss. It’s about winning the league, and that means winning battles week in, week out.
“We’re just getting going, it’s three points and we’re really happy.
“I’m so delighted for Beth England to come into the game and get her goal – she’s an invaluable part of the squad.
“Equally I’m delighted for Fran and Sam to open up their accounts for the season.”