The Blues defeated Manchester United at Wembley thanks to Sam Kerr's strike midway through the second half. It was a taut and tight game at the national stadium and one in which a moment of attacking brilliance was the difference.

Our head coach admitted it was a poor first-half showing but believes we deserved the victory after we improved our performance after the interval.

‘I’m a football fan - and I’ve watched how much this club has suffered this year with the ownership changes, and the men’s team hasn’t been brilliant. Chelsea fans this is for you.

‘I hope we gave you something where you could smile, owners included,’ Emma said.

‘Don’t underestimate how hard this is. This is so impressive. We dig, and dig and dig. We grew in the second half. United are a wonderful team,' our head coach added.

‘I think our team has been in transition, with six different players in the starting line-up to last year’s final. My big thing is, “How can we still keep winning while transitioning?”

‘So this year of trying to get as many players as many opportunities and keep developing their experiences in all areas of the pitch and to win knowing we’re in that stage, this is far and away my most memorable FA Cup final.’

Sam Kerr was the match-winner once again in a big game and Hayes heaped praise on the Australian once again, saying she is running out of superlatives for the striker.

‘I’ve never coached a player like her,’ said Hayes, with a beaming smile. ‘For a player to have such convictions, such confidence, such courage, the way she attacks everything.

‘What I love about Sam is she is willing to take responsibility for the team at the top end of the pitch, but I think it’s important to mention Pernille Harder, because without Pernille Harder she wouldn’t have got that goal. So congratulations to the team and the squad.’