by Chelsea finished 2023 on a high with a professional victory against a stubborn BK Häcken that showed all its experience. A goal from Sam Kerr and two from Erin Cuthbert took them to the top of Group D of the Women’s Champions League.
Although pleased with her team’s victory, Emma Hayes was aware of the challenge that Häcken had posed throughout. “The first half was a little bit of a grind,” she said. “I thought we were static. There were positional adjustments we made at halftime to correct that. I think we controlled the second half. It wasn’t perfect and they created opportunities, but overall I think we were dominant and deserved the win.”
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This trip to Gothenburg was one last hurdle that Chelsea had to overcome before the winter break. They had endured a frustrating night against the same opponent last week, dominating but lacking execution in a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge. It was an encounter that would have made Hayes’ team wary of complacency. The Swedish team has enjoyed an impressive campaign and came into the match two points clear of their opponents.
Chelsea had returned to winning ways in the league against Bristol City on Sunday after a challenging week of disappointing results and a bout of illness on the pitch. Hayes made three changes from the team that started in the WSL, with the arrivals of Kadeisha Buchanan and Zecira Musovic. Meanwhile, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd returned to familiar surroundings, having enjoyed two seasons with Häcken before joining Chelsea in August 2022.
Mak Lind made two changes to his team with Monica Jusu Bah and Filippa Curmark starting. Curmark captained the team in his 100th appearance wearing yellow and black.
As expected, Häcken was more ambitious this time. Despite Chelsea’s control in the opening minutes, the hosts had the first real chance of the game when Anna Anvegard’s angled shot hit the crossbar.
It was the wake-up call that Chelsea needed and they began to attack with determination. Lauren James’ direct running and ability to retain the ball was causing problems and Jennifer Falk tipped a trademark effort wide.
Chelsea found their breakthrough in the 14th minute when Rytting Kaneryd escaped his defender to feed Kerr at the near post. The Australian forward struck the ball without hesitation and scored her fifth goal of the campaign.
real MadridRussia’s hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League ended after losing 1-0 at home in Group D against Paris FC, which followed up their 2-1 victory last week. Gaetane Thiney [pictured] He scored the winning goal from the penalty spot, prompting Panenka to finish nervelessly with 11 minutes remaining to clinch the victory.
The result leaves Real with only one point in four games. The Spanish team will face Chelsea next, but with Häcken facing Paris next, they are guaranteed elimination in the group stage for the second year in a row. Paris FC has six points, one behind Häcken and two behind leaders Chelsea.
Ajax emerged victorious from a battle with Bayern Munich to top Group C with two days of matches remaining. Romee Leuchter scored the only goal just before half-time, finishing clinically into the bottom corner after the visitors’ defense had failed to close it down.
Bayern advanced in the second half but failed to regularly trouble Ajax goalkeeper Regina van Eijk and Lina Magull fired a chance wide in added time. The defeat at the Johan Cruyff Arena leaves Bayern third in the group, two points behind the Dutch champion.
PSG They are one point above Bayern in second place after a welcome 3-1 win in Roma. Grace Geyoro set up Tabitha Chawinga for the first goal after 26 minutes, before finding Marie-Antoinette Katoto in the box to make it 2-0 midway through the second half.
A volley from Korbin Albert made it three before Manuela Giugliano reduced the deficit for the hosts with a free kick. The Italian team is last with four points and will host Bayern on January 24 before traveling to Ajax the following week. PSG hosts Ajax and visits Bayern in its last two games.
Häcken was not going to give up without a fight and returned with determination. While his willingness to attack left them vulnerable defensively, his enthusiasm going forward paid off. The equalizer came when a long, direct ball found Jusu Bah breaking. He fed a cross to Clarissa Larisey to head in and level the score at the break.
The sense of deja vu was palpable at the start of the second half when Anvegard frustratingly hit the crossbar for the second time. The sound of the bar rattle seemed to bring Chelsea back to life once more. Minutes later they regained the lead when their high pressing forced Häcken to retreat. Losing possession, Chelsea passed the ball superbly to Cuthbert and the Scotland midfielder took a touch to prepare before drilling the ball precisely past Falk.
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With Hayes’ team continuing their pressure, Falk was called into action with a fingertip save to deny James again. However, the home goalkeeper’s performance did little to dent Chelsea’s fluidity and, with just under half an hour remaining, Cuthbert doubled his lead. A dazzling display of footwork saw him enter the box before firing in with aplomb for his third goal in four days.
The hit ended the life of Häcken’s resistance and audibly silenced the incredibly vocal section of the home fans. Häcken rarely troubled Chelsea in the final minutes, but he was aggrieved when Molly Johansson’s superb header was disallowed for offside. It seemed like a questionable decision in real time and replays showed that she was, in fact, in play.
However, it was a display that encapsulated Hayes’ “mentality monsters”, a clear illustration of his quality and ability to find a way when challenged. “It was a tough course to play,” she said. “There was a really good crowd and they created a great atmosphere. It was a fun game. “They are two good football teams and I am very happy with the three points.”
The victory meant that the English champions could go into the winter break safe in the knowledge that they are in first place both domestically and in Europe.
