Having emerged from the first leg of our UEFA Women’s Champions League encounter in Lyon with a one-goal advantage, a quick turnaround sees attention switch quickly to the WSL with Manchester City our opponents at the Academy Stadium on Sunday.

Hayes addressed the media in her press conference at Cobham on Friday where she reflected on a week which saw her side record back-to-back victories in domestic and European competitions, as we prepare to return to league action looking to maintain our lead at the summit.

When asked about the mood in the camp after the midweek victory across the Channel, Hayes highlighted the faith she has in her players to remain focused on maintaining good habits they have developed and treating each match as it comes.

‘It’s the same every week,' Emma stated. 'I always say this to people in general, does your work week change based on a happy week versus a not so happy week? Yes, maybe, and wins help but consistency in behaviors is something we have driven for a long period of time.

‘For us, the expectations are high to perform but ultimately I know we have a stable dressing room that are very much up to the task of competing on all fronts. We’re in a good position but we have nothing to show for it at this stage. It’s just take one game at a time.’

Amid a hectic fixture schedule this month, rest and recovery are vital components for managing the demands of competing across three competitions. Hayes praised the team’s ability to find that bit extra when it matters, both on and off the field of play.

‘Motivation is not an issue in my dressing room,' she added. 'We’re human beings and sometimes we’re not always at our very best, but I have a dressing room that finds ways. Equally, we have to respect the opponents that are getting better year on year.

'We can’t have everything all of the time so my task is just to keep finding the little margins everyday, and my staff and I certainly work hard on doing that.’

Our trip to Manchester is part of the wider Women’s Football Weekend before we host Lyon at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, and the manager is pleased to see increasing numbers of paying fans coming through the turnstiles which is necessary for growth and sustainability.

‘I’m happy to see the growing numbers,' the head coach reflected. 'For me, the most important is the growing numbers of paid fans, that’s what is going to drive the business of women’s football and that certainly an upward trajectory which is what the entire league and all the clubs want. Let’s hope we can build again this weekend.’