Aluko eyes Super League title

Eni Aluko is convinced winning the Women’s FA Cup can kickstart Chelsea Ladies’ quest to land the FA Women’s Super League 1 title.

Aluko was named Player of the Match after an electric performance at Wembley last weekend, setting up Ji So Yun’s winner as Chelsea beat Notts County 1-0.

That was Chelsea’s fourth game since the resumption of domestic football after the Women’s World Cup, but they have since lost top spot in the league to Sunderland, who beat them 4-0 last month.

But after helping Chelsea Ladies win the first trophy in their history, England forward Aluko is confident the club will be in the title mix at the end of the season.

“For us this is a great kick-starter,” Aluko stated.

“We know we’ve not played well in the second half of this season but we’re not panicking. We knew if we won at Wembley it would kickstart the rest of our season.

 “We’ve got Birmingham on Sunday and we have to be confident we can go and win that game. We have to keep the ball rolling and hopefully there is more silverware to come at the end of the season.

“But we will be there or thereabouts. I think we’ve got to believe now that we can win the league.”

Aluko was the joint top scorer in World Cup qualifying, firing 13 goals in 10 matches to help England reach Canada 2015, where they made history by winning the bronze medal.

But the 28-year-old was unable to find the back of the net during the tournament and Aluko says her dazzling display in the Women’s FA Cup final has helped put those demons to rest.

“I gave it my absolute all. I gave it everything I’ve got,” she said. “I had a lot to prove on the big stage. After the World Cup it was tough for me personally.

“I questioned myself but I knew I had a lot to look forward to with Chelsea and winning the FA Cup was huge for me personally and huge for the team. I was just glad that I could perform for the team, get the assist and get the win.”