Chelsea Women just 90 minutes away from more silverware as Harder hat-trick helps hammer West Ham

BY PAUL LAGAN

Chelsea Women are just 90 minutes away from grabbing another piece of silverware.

The Blues thrashed West Ham United 6-0 in the semi-final of the League Cup at Kingsmeadow on Wednesday night and will face Bristol City – 1-0 victors over Leicester City – in the final at Watford’s Vicarage Road on March 14.

A hat-trick by Denmark striker Pernille Harder was the icing on the cake for the west Londoners, who return to WSL action on Sunday when they face Brighton & Hove Albion, again at Kingsmeadow.

Further strikes from Sophie Ingle, Beth England and Fran Kirby saw off the limited resistance of the east Londoners.

Hayes was impressed by Harder’s improved tactical nous.

“I’ve been aware of the drop off from the team in our regains in the counter presses of late,” she said. “And it’s an area that Pernille has had to work at.

“I saw what I was looking for from her – for that aggression, and her work rate is second to none.

“She is starting to build the relationships within the team which I knew was going to take time. Against West Ham, it was her best game in a Chelsea shirt.

“I’m really pleased with the result – getting to finals is no easy achievement.

“The preparation put in by everyone pushes the team to new levels. We dispatched a very good team and that reflects the confidence in the camp at the moment.

“They are hungry for trophies. We know it’s ours to lose. We are holders but looking forward to being back in the final.”

Thomas Tuchel will be hoping that some of Hayes’s winning stardust will be sprinkled on his Chelsea men’s side as they face a trip to resurgent Sheffield United on Sunday in the Premier League.