A brace from Catarina Macario as well as goals from Guro Reiten and Mia Fishel secured a 4-0 victory over the Eagles at Kingsmeadow, putting us within touching distance of the league title.

Bompastor made seven changes from the side that started the game in Barcelona last weekend, and she stressed not only how important the three points were this evening, but also how vital it was to be able to rotate her side.

'I told my players before the game. This game was crucial,' the boss said afterwards. 'I think the result was crucial to be able to go back to six points ahead at the top of the table. So, yeah, big result. But again, three more games left, nine points. Nothing is done yet.

'Today, my plan was to be able to give the squad, first of all, the opportunity for some players to perform and show, but also to manage some players so they will have fresh legs going to the game on Sunday. I think in those two aspects, everything was really positive to and there were no injuries.'

After a 4-1 defeat in Barcelona on Sunday, Bompastor had to lift her players to put in a good performance against Crystal Palace in the Women's Super League just three days later.

A quick review of the Champions League semi-final within the squad was immediately boxed off as the focus shifted exclusively towards the match with Crystal Palace.

'I was direct with the players,' Bompastor explained. 'I just told them what I thought about the performance on Sunday, but really briefly. We didn't have a team meeting on Monday. I only talked to them on Tuesday because I think for us it was important to just have one day's reflection.

'When I talked to them on Tuesday, basically, I said briefly what I thought about our performance on Sunday against Barcelona. But the main talk was about focusing on Palace. I will talk to them more on Friday to tell them exactly what I think about the details of our performance, but also what we need to do better going to the game on Sunday.

'I put all the focus on the game against Palace because I knew it was a crucial game, a crucial three points, and I wanted them to be able to switch and go into another competition.

'We still need four points. But we have three games left, six points ahead. Same goal difference, I think now with Arsenal. We are in a good position, but nine more points need to be played, and it's enough for Arsenal to come back.

'You know last season, Chelsea was the underdog and in the position to come back, and they did it. So again, everything is possible. I will only relax when mathematically things are done.'

This was our last game of the campaign to be played at Kingsmeadow, and Bompastor is yet to be beaten at our home stadium.

Our fans have played a huge part in that successful run, and the boss was keen to give credit for that support.

'I really appreciate playing here,' she continued. 'I think the atmosphere is great. I really enjoy every single game we play here.

'When I say the atmosphere is great, it's because the fans are loud. You can feel them just behind the team, even behind me. That's really nice. They have all these songs, individual songs for each player, even for me.

'It's really nice and makes me really appreciate this environment.'

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