Chelsea Women 5-2 Leicester City Women
Chelsea Women, on yet another international break, go from strength to strength. They beat an obstinate Leicester City team 5-2 at Kingsmeadow, with manager Emma Hayes enjoying life as she ticks off the 25 calendar weeks until she leaves.
Lauren James scored twice, Sam Kerr once, a Leicester defender added an own goal, and prolific sub Aggie Beever-Jones was on target for the fifth successive Women's Super League match, heading in off the post with a minute remaining. So relaxed is Hayes, now that the dust has settled on news of her departure to the States, that she even allowed herself to speculate how her life might change.
"I like to think about a yacht I could buy with the money I'm getting paid," she joked. "But they're quite costly, these yachts."
Her compromise option? "I think I could be on a speed boat."
The official home of the US Women's team is Chicago, but Hayes is eyeing up the milder climate of Florida. "I would prefer if it wasn't Lake Michigan; I'd prefer somewhere a little warmer," she admitted.
Of her Chelsea team, who now return top of the table, she is delighted about her front players James, Kerr, Fran Kirby and the ever-improving Beever-Jones. "She's a natural goalscorer, she really is," said Hayes of the youngster. The women are back in action in a week's time, when they play Arsenal at the Emirates – a real cruncher, live on terrestrial TV.
TV coverage starts at 12.15pm on Sunday, 10 December, on BBC Two – with kick-off at 12.30pm at the Emirates.
Poch feeling the pain
The less happier side of Chelsea's managerial coin is Mauricio Pochettino. He can't wait for January's transfer window, and the chance to ditch some of the inherited chaff in his squad, and sign a couple of the players that he really wants.
It follows a 4-1 capitulation against Newcastle United after captain Reece James was sent off for two silly yellows as the manager himself watched from the stands, having accumulated three cards of his own.
The Chelsea players had to endure abuse from some travelling fans as they boarded the coach at St James' Park, and little wonder after a leggy, below-par display.
Next up, Brighton visit Stamford Bridge on Sunday, followed by a midweek trip to Manchester for the Blues to face United.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
