Women's FA Cup: Chelsea were due silverware - Emma Hayes

Women's FA Cup winners Chelsea Ladies were due their first piece of silverware, says manager Emma Hayes.

The Blues, who missed out on the 2014 Women's Super League One title on the final day of the season, beat Notts County 1-0 through Ji So-yun's goal in front of a record crowd at Wembley.

"I think we've been one of the best teams in the country for the last two seasons," Hayes told BBC Sport.

"We were due some silverware for coming so close."

Speaking after winning the first Women's FA Cup final to be played at the national stadium, Hayes added: "We are the dominant team and now I think we're going to kick on."

South Korea forward Ji scored the only goal, but it was England striker Eniola Aluko who was named as the player of the match after a fine individual performance in front of a crowd of 30,710.

"I'm so proud of Eni," Hayes added. "She is one player who has given her heart and soul to this building process in the last few years.

Aluko, who was part of the England squad who won bronze at this summer's World Cup, provided the assist for Ji's winning goal in the 37th minute.

"I'm just absolutely delighted for everyone involved in the football club," Aluko added. "That's including ex-Chelsea players (who are) at Notts County - they've been a part of the journey as well.

"It's been nine of years of hurt for a lot of players, like Claire Rafferty, Laura Coombs and Drew Spence, who have really been part of a long journey, to get to this point."

Notts County boss Rick Passmoor joked that the only way his side could have stopped Aluko would have been if she had been left in the changing rooms before the match.

"They've got two, three up front who are special players, and they came and played today," he added.

"The best team won. Their big players turned up today. A couple of our players didn't.

"But there's no way I'm in that changing room pointing. We've got to get back on it. Notts County is going in the right direction."