Chelsea manager Emma Hayes did not realise that her team could top the Women’s Super League table with a win over West Ham on Wednesday. Despite being second in the table, a point behind Manchester United with a game in hand, Hayes said she does not look at the league table as “your head gets away with you”. She added that she never looks at the table and doesn’t know if anyone in the dressing room does either. With three wins, Chelsea would guarantee a third-successive WSL triumph, but any slip would open the door for United and Arsenal in third. Manchester City, six points off the lead with only two matches remaining, would need multiple results to go in their favour and a large swing in goal difference to stand any chance of winning a second WSL title.
Chelsea have just won the Women’s FA Cup for the third time in a row, beating United 1-0 in Sunday’s final at Wembley. Hayes said mental tiredness was of more concern than any physical toll and that it would take a lot more out of them if they lost. To combat this, Chelsea have worked with a sleep specialist, Shona, for years who helps devise sleep strategies for the team.