Chelsea’s well-oiled machine paint Wembley blue

Such was Emma Hayes' unerring confidence in her team, she saw it all coming.

Chelsea wrapped up a delayed treble - or a quadruple if you include the Community Shield - with a Women's FA Cup final triumph at Wembley that their all-conquering manager was never in any doubt would come.

After dominating on all fronts domestically last season, the fourth and final trophy of a remarkable year was secured in suitably serene fashion as Hayes' side swept past rivals Arsenal 3-0 at Wembley.

It was no more than they deserved and caps a superb period of supremacy only punctured by defeat in the Champions League final to Barcelona in May.

Hayes has built a formidable squad, the envy of most across Europe, that, when they play like they did on Sunday, are almost faultless.

She leads them expertly too of course, this trophy a third FA Cup of her career, with the win the perfect way to avenge the league defeat to the same opponents on opening day.

"I saw it coming," she said afterwards. "I see the standards every day. I thought we were like a machine today from start to finish.

"Real credit must go not just to the players but also to the backroom staff. It's our treble from last year, and I really did not believe that there would be another outcome.

"The confidence, the calm nature in our dressing room was unbelievable before the game. I know everyone talks a lot about the opening day of the season (when Arsenal beat Chelsea in the Women's Super League). We won today, we can't read into it any more."

Hayes' confidence looked well placed when Fran Kirby capitalised on the first of numerous defensive mistakes to fire past Manuela Zinsberger and open the scoring after just three minutes.

The advantage should have much more than one at the break after some uncharacteristic wayward finishing but the result was put beyond doubt when Sam Kerr drilled in at the near post just before the hour.

The crowning moment that the performance deserved was added 20 minutes later, again by Kerr, when the Australian international helped herself to the goal of the game, impudently chipping Zinsberger on the break.

"If it had been three or four nil at half-time nobody would have been surprised. We should have had more goals and then it would have been even more convincing," Hayes added.

open image in gallery

"It was dominant, it was dogged when it needed to be and tactically we got it spot on. We dealt with the threat really well and kept a clean sheet.

"It’s a proud day as the manager of Chelsea. I represent a club of people, backroom staff, players, owner and board, who are united in the teams we want to build. We painted Wembley blue!"

It was fitting that strike partnership Kirby and Kerr were the sparks after both starred throughout this trophy-filled run.

"I thought that was Fran's best game in a Chelsea shirt, she ran the show," Hayes added. "She got on the ball, was a threat and real handful throughout the game."

Of Kerr's two-goal contribution, she added: "Kerr wondered how she would cope in the English game. As far as I'm concerned, she's the best striker in the world. She's courageous and full of confidence, can do that after getting off a plane from Australia on Thursday.

"They (Kirby and Kerr) are two of many many characters in this dressing room who are noteworthy for their performances today."

Hayes confirmed there won't be any celebrations with Champions League and Women's Super League commitments coming up in the next few days.

But continue on this ominous path and there will be plenty more opportunities to do so before the season is out.