Helped by Aston Villa goalkeeper Anna Leat being shown a red card early on, Chelsea strolled to a 3-0 victory in the Women’s Super League in a dominant performance at Kingsmeadow.

Kadeisha Buchanan completed the scoring by netting her first Blues goal after an hour played, getting her head on Catarina Macario’s corner, following strikes by Aggie Beever-Jones and Maika Hamano – the Japanese forward also getting her first for the club.

‘I was really excited,’ said Buchanan. ‘Every game I’ve wanted to get the goal and today I was up on set-pieces, so I was wishing to get one tonight and I finally did.

‘It’s good to get my first goal, I’m really happy and proud to have done it, and thanks to Cata for sending in the amazing crosses.’

Looking at the wider game, the Canadian defender felt we could have won by a bigger margin, but it was nonetheless an important result for the Blues, returning to winning ways after consecutive defeats in the League Cup final and FA Cup semis, the first time we have lost back-to-back games all season.

The three goals without reply also ensured our place at the top of the WSL table, ahead of Manchester City courtesy of our goal difference being better by two.

‘We had a lot of chances and their goalkeeper made a lot of saves, so we were pushing. There was the opportunity to score more goals and we could’ve capitalised, but I think they played well a player down and I think their goalkeeper made great saves as well.

‘I think it was great to get back to winning. Every game we play for the rest of the season is a cup final, so getting this win was crucial and putting some goals on the board was even more crucial to be top of the standing. We did what we needed to do today and now it’s onto the next.

‘Every game is a must-win but especially tonight after coming off a loss. We definitely needed the points. Coming off an international break and regrouping is always quite difficult, it can be difficult to find our groove. I think we’re back in our groove. The team is ready for Saturday.’

In addition to its importance in the WSL title race, Wednesday night’s win also provided a timely boost for the Blues going into another big game on Saturday, when we travel away to Barcelona for the first leg of our Women’s Champions League semi-final.

Chelsea are attempting to win the competition for the first time, in the last chance to do so under Emma Hayes’ management, as the Blues boss hopes to tick off the last piece of silverware missing from her list here.

However, Buchanan insists the team don’t need any extra motivation when competing for European glory.

‘For me, any team that we are going to face in a semi-final is going to be very difficult. They were the Champions League winners last year, but personally I think every team is beatable and we have to really believe in ourselves, that we can make it to the final. This win gave us great confidence going into Saturday.

'All players and staff want to win the title, not only Emma. We’re strongly fighting for the trophy and I hope we do get it, not only for Emma’s sake, but for the club as well. We’re going in with an open mindset and we’re going to grind on Saturday.’