Both sides went into the match comfortable in the knowledge that qualification for the knockout stages was confirmed, but top spot in the group remained up for grabs with PSG knowing they had to win by two clear goals to progress as group winners.

Sam Kerr’s wonderful first-half strike and an expertly taken second-half brace from Lauren James wrapped up the three points on a festive night under the lights at Stamford Bridge, where we confirmed top spot in the group ahead of the quarter-finals in March.

Hayes was delighted with the performance from her side in front of 10,000 supporters. She acknowledged the work that goes in on the training pitch, the execution of these practices in-game, and understanding what is required to compete at the top table in Europe.

‘It was the performance I wanted. It’s the performance I’ve seen in training, particularly this week. Most importantly, it will give the team confidence. Perfect is a strong word, but it was certainly a satisfying performance.

‘I’ve learned so much over the years, I don’t even know when the draw is! I’m not even thinking about that. I just know that if you want to compete in Europe, you’ve got to put in performances like that. It’s not good enough to go away from home and sit, defend deep and keep clean sheets. You’ve got to be better attacking wise and that’s what the difference was in this game.’

We began the match tentatively, but some words of encouragement from Hayes appeared to galvanize the group, who were reminded that the emphasis to win was on the opposition and that our patience would eventually pay off.

‘For the first 15 minutes, I felt we hadn’t got our engines going but I thought we were in control for at least 70 minutes of the game. When I pulled the players over, I reminded them that PSG have to win the game, we have to be more patient. I was frustrated that sometimes in our attempts to try and win the game, we take it to the opponent too quickly.

‘My frustrations were around our eagerness, but the minute that information translated across the group, then we settled into the play and I enjoyed the performance. This was my favourite performance this season for 75 minutes. It was exactly what I’ve asked for in training the last three days.’

It was a memorable night for James who netted twice in front of the Shed End to put the Blues in cruise control in the second half. Hayes knows that James’ talent is there for all to see but at such a young age, the forward has plenty more room to develop her game.

‘Lauren in and around the penalty box is exceptional. We have to be mindful that there is still so much in her game for her to keep developing, whether that’s tracking full backs or getting back into defensive positions early, linking up with fewer touches when she’s got numbers around her.

‘There is still so much for her game to develop, but what I know is that with a player like Fran in particular, who has the ability to make a selfless decision inside the box when it might be on for her to shoot at least for the third goal, the team put Lauren in the best position possible and she executed.’

With the quarter-finals scheduled for March, Hayes identified elements of the game in England such as demands of the league, quality in squad depth and high intensity training over longer periods, as reasons why English teams appear to be at a better level to challenge in Europe.

‘The English clubs are exactly where we should be based on those factors. I’m not surprised for Arsenal and ourselves to be in the position we are. I remember getting beaten here by Wolfsburg and it was a gulf. Do you think that gulf has closed merely by signing players? It doesn’t work like that.

‘There is so much grind that goes on in a training capacity that takes years to actually get to the level where you feel that’s what experience looks like. My team look experienced in Europe and that’s probably put us in that position in the group.’