Sam Kerr's glancing header and Guro Reiten's thumping finish gave the visitors an early two-goal cushion.

Erin Cuthbert found the top corner to make it 3-0 before the half-hour mark.

Hayes said her side had found it difficult to focus last week following the news that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich had been sanctioned by the UK government.

The Blues beat West Ham 4-1 on Thursday hours after the announcement, before leaving it late on Sunday to secure victory over Aston Villa.

"It's been easier this week," she said. "I think initially it was difficult. That first game on the Thursday was really, really tough.

"Emotionally it affected us on Sunday, today just feels like business as usual."

'Important to see others score'

Hayes said her side had been "dynamic" in the first half, capped off with two quality goals from distance from Reiten and Cuthbert which she said "we haven't had in a while".

"They're capable of that. This second half of the season I've been demanding more from players in terms of chipping in for goals.

"It's important - we can't leave that all for Sam [Kerr]."

Niamh Charles could have added further gloss to the visitors' scoreline in a one-sided first half but headed Pernille Harder's cross into the side-netting.

Their chances dried up after the restart, which was delayed nearly 15 minutes because of an injury to referee James Bell.

But Everton - who had won their last two league fixtures prior to Wednesday - rarely threatened to forge an unlikely route back into the game.

The Toffees have now failed to score in each of their last eight league matches against the Blues - a record for a single side against another in the WSL.

Chelsea could leapfrog Arsenal at the top of the table if they beat London rivals Tottenham in their game in hand on 23 March.

"Everybody knows we've got the tougher run-in in the league," said Hayes. "We have to win every game, we know what we have to do - every game is a cup final."