When Emma Hayes walked out at Kingsmeadow for her final home game in charge of Chelsea, she knew that her team were right back in the hunt to win the Women's Super League. Earlier this week, after a shock defeat to Liverpool, Hayes declared the title race over. Manchester City needed four points from their final two games to seal the trophy and she expected them to get them. But Arsenal's dramatic victory over the Cityzens on Sunday afternoon opened the door for Chelsea again - and they took advantage by thumping Bristol City 8-0.

The Robins gave Man City a tough game last weekend, so much so that it took them until after the hour to break the deadlock. That would not be the case seven days on, not when Niamh Charles won a penalty with just a few minutes played and Guro Reiten confidently slotted it home. That the Norwegian quickly collected the ball out of the back of the net and ran to place it back on the centre spot was a message that Chelsea were out to make up that chunk of goal difference between them and Man City, a factor which it will come down to on the final day if the Blues beat Tottenham in their game in hand in 10 days' time.

They did exactly that, especially in the second half, Reiten ending the day with four goals and Aggie Beever-Jones bagging two while both Sjoeke Nusken and Charles also got their names on the scoresheet.

There were a couple of scares for Chelsea, most notably when Carrie Jones' deflected shot forced Zecira Musovic into a big save at 1-0 and Amalie Thestrup couldn't convert the rebound. But after that, the Blues really ran away with it and have given Hayes every hope of saying goodbye with one more trophy in hand.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Kingsmeadow...

Goalkeeper & Defence

Zecira Musovic (7/10):

Didn't have lots to do but made an absolutely fantastic stop to deny Jones at 1-0.

Eve Perisset (5/10):

A couple of shaky moments after a few games out of the XI. Off just after the hour.

Nathalie Bjorn (7/10):

Swept up well at the back when Bristol did counter.

Millie Bright (5/10):

Still a little rusty after nearly six months on the sidelines.

Niamh Charles (8/10):

Basically played as a second winger with how well she supported the attack, yet still popped up with some important defensive interventions. Cracking finish for her goal.

Midfield

Sophie Ingle (7/10):

Did well to always show as an option and keep attacks ticking over.

Erin Cuthbert (8/10):

Played more on the front foot and her clever runs added another element, as shown by her assist for Beever-Jones.

Sjoeke Nusken (6/10):

A scrappy goal for Chelsea's second but impressively taken. Off at the break.

Attack

Maika Hamano (7/10):

Looked lively from the get-go and channelled that energy in her defensive work, not just on the attack.

Aggie Beever-Jones (9/10):

Worked hard, showed good movement and deserved her two goals.

Guro Reiten (10/10):

Fantastic penalty to break the deadlock and that set the tone for her impressive four-goal display, with an assist to boot.

Subs & Manager

Fran Kirby (6/10):

On at the break for her final home game in Chelsea blue and was only a great save away from marking it with a goal. Showed nice glimpses.

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (5/10):

Had about half an hour to make an impact but didn't get too involved.

Catarina Macario (8/10):

Got around 30 minutes and used them well, racking up two assists.

Maren Mjelde (N/A):

Another making her final home appearance for the club, she came on for the final few minutes.

Ashley Lawrence (N/A):

On in stoppage-time.

Emma Hayes (8/10):

Freshened the team up without putting out a disjointed XI that struggled in the final third. Used her subs well, too, as Chelsea racked up goals that could be vital in this title race.