Second-half strikes from Guro Reiten and Ji So-Yun ensured Hayes’ side reached the FA Cup final as the Blues aim to win the trophy for the second year in a row.

Speaking at full-time, Hayes said: ‘It took us a real long time to get going but once we did, we made it difficult for Arsenal to settle on the ball in the areas they want to.

‘The second-half goal came at the right time. I thought we actually dominated the second half.’

The boss revealed captain Magdalena Eriksson had been ill over the weekend, meaning our No.16 started on the bench while Pernille Harder also featured as a substitute following her recent return from injury.

‘I’ve been an advocate of the whole squad the whole year and I’ve been clear that ever since January I’ve seen an even level across my squad, regardless of who you are. It’s not about any one player, it’s about the whole.

‘The players who are coming into the team, they have as much right to be playing as those who have established themselves over years and that’s what we want in our environment, that’s what we create. It’s part of the reason why we’re eyeing more titles. It’s because we’re evolving, not just with the same players.’

Hayes explained the importance of continuity and why she feels her side have been performing well this year.

‘We don’t have a mass exodus in and out of players, I think that really helps. We only had two signings in the summer, one in January and when you’ve got continuity it really adds a lot of value to your team and your structures.’

Chelsea have enjoyed wins against Arsenal at Meadow Park in previous seasons. Hayes added she enjoys the short trip across London to face the Gunners.

‘I love coming here, I really do, I think our team have performed well over the years here. Arsenal made it really, really difficult in the first half but we showed the character that I know exists, showed our resilience to keep a clean sheet.

‘There’s players that have come into the team like Niamh [Charles] who had Covid, didn’t play a game over the international break, Ann [Katrin-Berger] who hasn’t played a game in four or five games, that’s character. Ji, who hasn’t played as much this year as she usually does, Beth who’s been injured and out of the team, I give real credit to the whole group because I’m starting to see parity and more importantly consistency across the group.’

The Blues dominated the game in the midfield area and Hayes highlighted just how pleased she was with her side in the middle of the park.

‘I thought that’s where we won the game – midfield. When we played them at home they beat us in that area, even though we drew.

‘In this game Erin [Cuthbert], Sophie [Ingle] and Ji were so dominant but that also helped with our back three being absolutely superb in their one versus one duels.

‘They were strong, they were tough; Aniek Nouwen centrally, Jess Carter was superb, Millie was superb. Our wing-backs did their job, a hard job today for the team. Guro obviously popping up with one of the goals.

‘Our superiority in the second half is due to the character in the group. Yes, there’s quality in the dressing room but they show so much character this team, all the team, keep finding another level. It’s not easy to keep winning, it really isn’t, but we’ve shown again another side to ourself today.

‘A total team performance and a clean sheet that we are so proud of.’

Chelsea will face Manchester City in the final, a repeat of this year’s Continental Tyres League Cup final. Gareth Taylor’s side beat the Blues 3-1 at the Cherry Reds Record Stadium in March, however Hayes has said she won’t be thinking about that result come May.

‘I’m never pre-occupied with revenge-type things, I don’t think about those things. I just know we were probably our most vulnerable then. We had a lot of players out, didn’t have a lot of depth, I felt that showed.

‘We’re in a really good space, we’ve got players coming back into the group, a team in form but so are Man City. Two very, very good teams.’

The Women’s FA Cup final takes place on Sunday 15 May at Wembley Stadium. For ticketing information, click here.