Emma Hayes has urged Chelsea Women to continue doing absolutely everything they can in the wake of the goalless stalemate away against Birmingham Women.
Despite an authoritative display from the Blues at the Automated Technology Group Stadium, Birmingham held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw, the fourth such time for Hayes’ side in the new campaign. Having only scored a total of two goals in six league matches, the early goings of the season has been a far cry from last year’s heights where they won the domestic Double. However, Hayes chose to concentrate on the positives from her side’s latest draw.
“The team were dominant and it was a great performance,” said the Camden native. “Birmingham were joint-top of the league and they didn’t get out of their half. We controlled the play, created all the chances, did everything we needed to, and it just lacked the ball going over the line.”
Skipper Karen Carney, who was earlier subject to online abuse while playing for England, had the best chance for the visitors via a second-half penalty earned by star midfielder Ji So-Yun but Birmingham keeper Ann Katrin-Berger rose up to the occasion and denied the England international from the spot.
Hayes went on to assert her claim regarding her team’s domination by saying Berger was Birmingham’s star performer in the game before stating that no other team has had more touches in the opposition box than Chelsea Women. “Their player of the game was their goalkeeper. That shows you everything. We are creating. We’ve had more touches in the opposition box than any other team in the league,” Hayes added.
Next up for Chelsea Women is a visit by Liverpool at Kingsmeadow on Sunday and the Chelsea Women’s coach has urged her side to continue working their socks off.
“The team are doing absolutely everything they can,” continued Hayes. “We’ve got to keep at it. Sometimes things don’t fall for you; the ricochets aren’t going our way. We should be talking about three points, but we’re not.”
