Chelsea turned the tables on what seemed to be a pre-engraved trophy race last night, as Emma Hayes’s dynamic Blues fired eight goals past Bristol City to make up the goal difference deficit at the top of the table.

Though the morale around the side wasn’t quite as high on Wednesday night, as Liverpool put a dent in any title hopes as they secured three points in a 4-3 battle with the Blues. Hayes vocalised her pessimism then, something her side proved to be extremely wrong in Sunday’s inspirational performance.

“I don’t know how best to put this but they [the players], demonstrated all the things I’ve taught over the years. They drove it, they lead it, it all came from them. They never gave up, they had belief amongst them, they maintained the drive, the determination- no matter the set backs, they wanted to make sure that they sent Kingsmeadow, Fran [Kirby], Maren [Mjelde], off in a way that was fitting of what the 12 years have been about.

I learnt so much from them today, I really did. I learnt a lot about the importance of belief, I learnt the importance of ‘don’t write Chelsea off’. But I have to say that the players have driven that, and they were exceptional.”

Thanks to a little help from their London rivals, Chelsea were placed right back into contention as the Gunners found a 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the dying moments thanks to an inspirational brace from Stina Blackstenius. After the knock to the league leader’s tally, Chelsea now find themselves just three points away from the Cityzens- with a game in hand.

Speaking on the clash between Arsenal and Manchester City, Hayes joked that she was driving to Kingsmeadow on a call with Lauren James as the Gunners completed their comeback- “We asked LJ to commentate for the last four minutes!”

“The fans then started cheering and it felt like the door was ajar, and it obviously was! I feel we had to score at least six to give ourselves a chance. It was eight, wasn’t it.”

Millie Bright was back to her best in Chelsea’s domination over the Robins, as the Blues captain now finds herself injury-free heading into the final weeks of the season. Hayes packed on the praise for Bright, speaking with pride when assessing how the captain epitomises the Chelsea Way.

“It’s always a bit unfair, because there are players who have been playing and putting in great performances for the shirt, but she’s the captain of this club. She’s not at her best yet, and it looks like that sometimes. But it’s the character, it’s the mentality. That winning that I felt has been a little bit absent in us on a consistent basis, was absolutely amongst us today.”

The Blues now prepare for the final weekend with a game in hand, as they look to face Tottenham Hotspur on May 15th in a decisive midweek clash at Brisbane Road Stadium. When asked whether she expects it to be the same again from her Blues as they face the Spurs, Hayes assured that her side ‘will not give up’.

“I think it’s fair to say I’m sure there will be another twist, because it wouldn’t be the same. What I know is that my team will not give up, they will not give up, this is who we are. Tonight will be a memory for me forever- those players taught me so much today.”

Hayes’s Wednesday evening post match words saw her admit defeat, as she expressed that “I have amazing memories of this football club and we won a lot of things and I’d love to win titles again for Chelsea. But that’s not going to be this year I’m afraid.”

Speaking on her post match comments, Hayes was with full certainty that it was the correct thing to say for her group going in to the final weeks.

“I just wanted to take the pressure off of them, after Thursday I wanted to take the pressure off them. I really mean what I say, they’ve been amazing in my time here. My time has been successful and those players have done a lot, we’ve won four titles in a row.

It’s hard to keep sustaining it, but I just figured it’s best to keep the pressure off the team and focus on the other things. I think it was the right tactic from me to do that post game, but I did say to the team that it’s so crucial that we have to be ready if there is a slip up.”

Chelsea now trail Manchester City by three points with a game in hand, as they come up against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United on the road in their final fixtures of the Emma Hayes era. Despite the brilliant result garnered by the Blues at Kingsmeadow, Hayes refused to discount the challenge that still remains ahead for her side.

“I still think it’s tough, and we’ve got a game in hand. Look at the opponents we have to face. We have to play a brilliant Tottenham team and a Man United team that knocked us out of the cup, there’s a long way to go yet.”

Chelsea will face Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday the 15th of May in their penultimate fixture of the Barclays Women’s Super League. The Blues will then travel north to Old Trafford, as a final day decider awaits them against Manchester United.