The Blues led for most of the game at Brisbane Road without ever hitting top gear. For the second week running a late goal by our opponents caused a nervier finale than we would have liked, but in the end goals from Jess Carter, Lauren James and Guro Reiten were enough to secure a 3-2 WSL win.

‘It was a scrappy game,’ said Hayes.

‘The pitch made it like that. First half we didn’t create enough depth to have the control we wanted, at least in the deeper spaces. We played ourselves into trouble.

‘It was sloppy from us defensively, they were both goals we could have prevented. They were as a result of us switching off.

‘We can control those things, and we have to be mindful of that. But this is a tough league. Anybody who thinks it’s going to be near-perfect performances, it’s not. It’s going to be a grind until the end.

‘It’s one of those games you know across the course of a season you have to grind out a result. The important thing is the three points. Was it perfect? No, but it’s about three points. We did enough for that to happen.’

With Manchester United dropping points at home to Everton earlier on Sunday, the Blues have moved to the top of the WSL table. Hayes isn’t paying any attention to that at the moment, though.

‘Our position’s still the same. We know the tough fixtures we’ve got coming up.

‘We just need to stay focused on our journey and our process.’

The head coach’s final word went to James, who scored a sublime solo goal that further underlined her speed, skill and finishing ability. Hayes recognised its brilliance but also noted room for improvement from the 21-year-old.

‘It was fantastic. But she has got to learn to do some other things. In the last part of the game, get back in position. That’s for me to deal with, with her.

‘On the ball, outstanding. We all know that. We need to be patient, and she needs to keep developing both sides.’