Hayes happy to give players the limelight after Chelsea beat Everton

Emma Hayes said she was glad to stop talking about herself and instead focus on her Chelsea team as they cemented top spot in the Women's Super League with a 3-0 win at Everton.

It was the London side's first match since last weekend's announcement that Hayes will be stepping down at the end of the season after 12 years as manager.

She said: "It's another day in the life of being at Chelsea. Everyone knows who I am and they know I'll give as much as I can and everyone's committed to that.

"I'm just thankful this week's over and we don't have to talk about me any more."

Hayes is confident that, even though her players now know she is going, they will not drop their standards.

She said: "Have you ever worked for me? Not on my watch, it doesn't happen. I'll pull the rug, I'll find a way if you sit still or you drop off. It won't happen while I'm here."

Jess Fleming opened the scoring in the 14th minute, steering in a volley after Sjoeke Nusken's cross was only half-cleared.

Everton might have been level by half-time, with goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger denying Martina Piemonte, who had been left clear by a Millie Bright slip and Justine Vanhaevermaet having a goal ruled out by a debated offside call.

The home side, however, ran out of steam in the second half, as Chelsea made their superiority tell.

After Erin Cuthbert had hit the bar, a second goal came in the 62nd minute as Sam Kerr thumped in Johanna Rytting Kaneryd's low cross.

They added a stylish third in the 90th minute, as former Everton loanee Aggie Beever-Jones curled a delightful finish into the far corner.