Exactly what England manager Phil Neville was saying to Chelsea Women’s gaffer Emma Hayes last week isn’t known, but – despite the Blues’ defeat to Man City in the Conti Cup semi – he will have been impressed by the endeavour and non-stop effort of the striker who attracts ‘England for England’ chants at every match, writes Jane Grove.

Chelsea are all geared up for revenge on City on Sunday lunchtime as they travel north through the gales and rain to meet their arch-rivals in the league.

It comes as the latest batch of Opta statistics for the women’s game reveals that Chelsea club captain Karen Carney has become the first player in WSL history to reach the milestone of 30 assists.

Kaz has provided the assists for goals in four of her last six WSL appearances.

Less welcome is the stat that Chelsea have been involved in four of the six 0-0 games in the WSL this season.

Chelsea Women’s next home games are against Arsenal in the FA Cup on Sunday February 17 at 2pm, then under the floodlights at Kingsmeadow on Wednesday February 20, when the visitors – at 7.30pm – are Bristol City.

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