EMMA HAYES hopes Jess Carter will get more chances to shine for England after her battling display during Chelsea’s defeat of Manchester City.
A Guro Reiten goal – teed up by the full-back – helped the Blues seal a 1-0 win cutting Arsenal’s lead at the top to two points.
The result saw Chelsea go 10 league games unbeaten against City before their crunch title clash with the Gunners.
Hayes hopes Carter’s exploits will give Sarina Wiegman food for thought before the Arnold Clark Cup.
The Lionesses boss is set to name her squad ahead of the round-robin tournament with England up against Canada, Germany and Spain.
And Wiegman was present to watch Carter and other Blues and Man City stars in action at Kingsmeadow.
The Warwick-born defender, 24, currently has three senior England internationals caps.
Blues chief Hayes, 44, said: “The rise of Jess has not been well documented, but she has gone from a young footballer coming from Birmingham, taking three seasons to adapt, to what we see now.
“I think she should be given more opportunities for England. She’s one of the best one-on-one defenders and is growing in stature.”
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Of Chelsea’s win, Hayes added: “People always say if Chelsea weren’t around, look how many titles Man City would have won.
“They came into women’s football to overtake Arsenal, but I’m not sure Chelsea were factored into that equation.
“It’s difficult for them to win the league now, but they’re still a top team. Our defensive strategy worked really well. It was a champion-like performance.”
Chelsea showed their intent early with Erin Cuthbert’s corner kick looking goal bound before Jess Park’s fifth-minute clearance.
The 0-0 scoreline lasted just nine minutes longer with Reiten heading the champs in front after a pinpoint Carter cross.
The hosts had a couple of decent chances to double their lead near the half-hour mark.
First through a Sophie Ingle shot blocked on the edge of the box following some neat exchanges between the Wales ace and Reiten.
And then Pernille Harder jinking her way into the box and forcing a block from Ellie Roebuck.
Despite Chelsea’s attacking dominance Gareth Taylor’s side caused a few problems towards the first-half’s later stages.
Lauren Hemp made a powerful run into the box, tightly marked by Carter, before unleashing a cross that fizzed across the area and out of play
City’s best chance came with Park’s half-volley forcing a parried save from Ann-Katrin Berger near half-time.
Sam Kerr come close to doubling Chelsea’s lead early in the second spell with Roebuck forcing the striker to fire wide in the 47th minute.
And a well-timed tackle from Ruby Mace – starting in the absence of Steph Houghton – denied Kerr another shooting chance moments later.
Late substitute Lauren James came close to nabbing a debut goal moments after Hemp forced a save with a half-volley.
And the hosts survived a late surge as City – who scored 37 times in their last nine games – pressed forward.
Caroline Weir had a decent chance to cross near the final whistle, with Vicky Losada, Hemp and Ellen White waiting in the box, but curled her effort over the bar.
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City’s loss saw them leapfrogged by Tottenham and Reading with their chances of mounting a late title challenge looking slim.
Head coach Gareth Taylor, 48, said: “It’s a gap, it’s a big gap. We just need to keep chipping away at it. It starts next week
“We’re unfortunate not to come away with at least a point today. We’ll attack next week’s game (against Man United) and start to claw back some of the ground that we’re off.”
