EMMA HAYES believes this term’s race to win the league could go to the wire with Chelsea aiming to knock Arsenal off top spot.
And the Blues boss hopes restrictions stopping fans buying tickets will be eased, with the club reportedly pushing for the ban to be lifted.
Chelsea host Tottenham at Kingsmeadow four days before their trip to Leicester having won their last three league games.
A home victory against Rehanne Skinner’s side could see the title holders back in pole position in the top tier.
And Hayes acknowledges there will be little room for slip ups with her side after maximum points from their last six games of the season.
The Blues chief, 44, said: “We've been behind the whole year, but I've enjoyed being in this position it makes a change for us.
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"Everybody knows there's a long way to go. I’ve said it will go all the way to the wire and I stand by that.
“I know we have to win every game and if we drop points and then it's clearly in Arsenal's hands.
“This has probably been the year where there have been more teams vying for top positions.
“That's what I think the difference is this year. I think there's that recognition that it's much harder to win games that might have been winnable.
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“Every game feels much tougher. And I think for that reason the players have learned not to take it for granted.”
The derby duel will be Chelsea’s second home game in the space of four days.
Match attendance will once again be restricted to Blues season ticket holders with the ban on the club selling tickets still in place.
Earlier this week SunSport reported officials were waiting to hear if they could sell tickets to fans to attend the FA Cup semi-finals between the Blues' men's team and Crystal Palace.
Ahead of her side's game against Spurs, Hayes said: “For me the priority is getting fans back into stadium. I don't know why this hasn't happened yet.
“It’s not difficult to create a situation with a separate bank account so that the fans can come.
"I don't think we should penalise those people, even within this situation.”
Tottenham, who Hayes described as having “a remarkable year” have enjoyed an impressive season under Rehanne Skinner.
They are currently without the services of striker Jessica Naz who suffered an injury whilst away on international duty with England’s Under-23.
Prior to their loss to Man City this month only Arsenal and Chelsea had kept more clean sheets in the top tier than Tottenham this term.
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Skinner, 42, whose side are fifth, said: “We’re going in the right direction in terms of what we need to do to be more competitive with these teams.
“We’re trying to build on what we’re developing here as a club.”
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