Photo: Harriet Lander/Chelsea FC/Getty Images
Chelsea ended 2023 on a high with a professional victory against a stubborn BK Häcken who showed all their experience. One goal from Sam Kerr and two from Erin Cuthbert put them top of Group D in the Women's Champions League.
Although pleased with her side's victory, Emma Hayes was aware of the challenge Häcken had provided throughout. "The first half was a bit difficult," she said. "I thought we were static. There were positional adjustments we made at half-time to correct that. I think we controlled the second half. It wasn't perfect and they created chances, but overall I think we were dominant and deserved the win."
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This trip to Gothenburg was a final hurdle for Chelsea to overcome before the winter break. They had endured a frustrating evening against the same opponent last week, dominating but failing to execute in a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge. It was a meeting that would have made Hayes' part wary of complacency. The Swedish team have had an impressive campaign, coming into the match two points ahead of their opponents.
Chelsea had returned to victory in the league against Bristol City on Sunday after a challenging week of disappointing results and a spell of illness in the camp. Hayes made three changes to the squad that started in the WSL, with Kadeisha Buchanan and Zecira Musovic coming on as substitutes. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, meanwhile, returned to familiar surroundings after enjoying two seasons at Häcken before signing for Chelsea in August 2022.
Mak Lind made two changes to his team when Monica Jusu Bah and Filippa Curmark started. Curmark led the team in its 100th appearance in yellow and black.
As expected, Häcken turned out to be more ambitious this time. Despite Chelsea's control in the opening minutes, the hosts created the first real chance of the match when Anna Anvegard's corner shot hit the crossbar.
It was the wake-up call Chelsea needed and they started attacking with purpose. Lauren James' direct running and ability to hold the ball caused problems and she had a trademark effort converted by Jennifer Falk.
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Chelsea found their breakthrough in the 14th minute when Rytting Kaneryd escaped her defender to feed Kerr at the near post. The Australian forward fired the ball home without hesitation for her fifth goal of the campaign.
Real MadridTheir hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions League have ended after they lost 1-0 in Group D to FC Paris, who followed up their 2-1 win last week. Gaetane Thiney [pictured] scored the winner from the penalty spot, setting up a nerveless Panenka finish eleven minutes from time to seal the win.
The result gives Real a solitary point from four games. The Spanish team next plays Chelsea, but now that Häcken faces Paris, they are guaranteed to go out in the group stage for the second year in a row. Paris FC has six points, one behind Häcken and two behind leader Chelsea.
Ajax emerged victorious from a battle with Bayern Munich top of Group C with two matches to go. Romee Leuchter scored the only goal just before half-time, finishing clinically into the bottom corner after the visiting defense failed to close her down.
Bayern pushed forward in the second half but failed to regularly trouble Ajax keeper Regina van Eijk, with Lina Magull firing a chance wide in stoppage time. Due to a defeat in the Johan Cruijff Arena, Bayern is third in the group, two points behind the national champions.
PSG are one point above Bayern in second place after a welcome 3-1 win over Roma. Grace Geyoro set up Tabitha Chawinga for the opener after 26 minutes, before finding Marie-Antoinette Katoto in the area to make it 2-0 midway through the second half.
Korbin Albert's volley made it three, after which Manuela Giugliano pulled the ball back for the home team from a free kick. The Italian side are bottom with four points and host Bayern on January 24 before heading to Ajax the following week. PSG host Ajax and visit Bayern in their last two matches.
Häcken did not want to give up without a fight and deliberately came back. Although their willingness to attack left them defensively vulnerable, their enthusiasm for the future paid off. The equalizer came when a direct long ball broke Jusu Bah. She turned the cross for Clarissa Larisey to head home and level the score at half-time.
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 rattling bar seemed to bring Chelsea back to life. Minutes later they got back in front when their high pressure pushed Häcken back. Chelsea splendidly turned the ball to Cuthbert and the Scottish midfielder took one touch to position himself before drilling the ball precisely past Falk.
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As Hayes' side continued their pressure, Falk was called into action with a diving fingertip stop to deny James again. The home goalkeeper's performance did little to deter Chelsea's flow, however, and with just under half an hour to play Cuthbert doubled their lead. A dazzling display of footwork allowed her to burst into the penalty area before firing with confidence for her third goal in four days.
The strike sucked the life out of Häcken's resistance and audibly quieted the incredibly vocal section of the home fans. Häcken rarely caused Chelsea any problems in the closing stages, but will have felt offended when Molly Johansson's brilliant header was disallowed for offside. It seemed like a questionable decision in real time, and replays proved she was indeed busy.
Nevertheless, it was a display that encapsulated Hayes' "mentality monsters", a clear illustration of their quality and ability to find a way when challenged. "It was a difficult field to play on," she said. "It was a really nice crowd and they created a great atmosphere. It was a fun game. Two good football teams and I am very happy with the three points."
The victory meant the English champions could go into the winter break safe in the knowledge that they are at the top both domestically and in Europe.
