Chelsea boss Emma Hayes recites Robert Frost poem in bizarre response to feud with Jonas Eidevall after pushing Arsenal coach in Conti Cup final

After the final whistle of the Conti Cup final, Hayes and Eidevall clashed, with the Blues boss appearing to push her counterpart. Hayes subsequently claimed that the Arsenal manager had been showing "male aggression" during the final, something that Eidevall strenuously denied, claiming her "irresponsible" comments "cast a dark shadow" over the Gunners' victory.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea's game against Manchester United in the semi-finals of the Womens' FA Cup, Hayes admitted that she spoke to her son after the game, and was told that she should have been put in "time out" for pushing Eidevall, but she also invoked the words of poet Robert Frost in a bizarre monologue.

Hayes started by referring to her conversation with her son, saying:  “My son said to me after the game: 'Mummy, when you push someone in school, you’re asked to go and take time out'.

“I said to him: 'You can’t meet aggression with aggression'. All you can do is tell the teacher and explain why something is unfair. You cannot meet aggression with aggression. I thought it was a good conversation with my son after the final.”

She then claimed that she would be speaking to Eidevall before she takes up her post with the United States women's national team: “We don’t play Arsenal, we don’t have each other’s phone number, but I am sure when I become the boss of the USA, we will have conversations. I’ve had a fantastic break, explained an important analogy I shared with my son; my focus is on moving forward.”

Then she referenced Frost, adding: "So when at times the mob is swayed, To carry praise or blame too far, We may choose something like a star, To stay our minds on and be staid."

Chelsea remain in contention for a treble. They play United in the FA Cup semi-final this weekend and later this month will play Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League. The Blues are also second in the Women's Super League, three points behind Manchester City but with a game in hand.