In 2023, Chelsea ended on a positive note with a skilled win against a resilient BK Häcken team, showcasing their expertise. Sam Kerr scored one goal and Erin Cuthbert scored two, propelling them to the top of Group D in the Women’s Champions League.
Emma Hayes was happy with her team’s victory, but she also acknowledged the tough competition from Häcken. She mentioned that the first half was a bit slow and their positioning needed improvement. However, they made adjustments during halftime and were able to take control of the game in the second half. Although it wasn’t flawless and Häcken had some scoring opportunities, she believes her team was in charge and earned the win.
Chelsea had one last challenge to conquer before their winter break with a trip to Gothenburg. In their previous match against the same team, they had a difficult night, controlling the game but failing to score in a 0-0 tie at Stamford Bridge. This previous experience likely made Hayes and her team cautious of overconfidence. The Swedish team has had a successful season and entered the game with a two-point lead over Chelsea.
Chelsea bounced back from a tough week of disappointing outcomes and sickness within the team by securing a win against Bristol City in the league on Sunday. Manager Hayes made three alterations to the lineup, bringing in Kadeisha Buchanan and Zecira Musovic. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd also made a return to her former team Häcken, where she played for two seasons before joining Chelsea in August 2022.
Mak Lind altered his team by adding Monica Jusu Bah and Filippa Curmark as starters. On her 100th game in yellow and black, Curmark served as the team’s captain.
As predicted, Häcken displayed greater determination this time around. Despite Chelsea dominating the early minutes, the home team created the initial promising opportunity when Anna Anvegard’s angled shot struck the crossbar.
Chelsea was spurred into action after this incident, and they started to aggressively push forward. Lauren James’ determined runs and skillful ball control were creating issues for the opposing team, and she almost scored with her signature shot, but goalkeeper Jennifer Falk managed to deflect it over the goal.
In the 14th minute, Chelsea scored their first goal when Rytting Kaneryd was able to get past her defender and pass the ball to Kerr at the near post. The Australian player confidently struck the ball for her fifth goal of the season.
Häcken refused to back down and returned with determination. Although their aggressive approach left them open on defense, their eagerness to score ultimately paid off. Their tying goal came from a long pass that found Jusu Bah, who then passed it to Clarissa Larisey for a header and to even the score before halftime.
The feeling of familiarity was strong at the beginning of the second half as Anvegard hit the crossbar for the second time, causing frustration. The sound of the bar rattling seemed to ignite Chelsea once more. They regained the lead just minutes later by pressuring Häcken and forcing them to retreat. After gaining possession, Chelsea executed a great passing play and Cuthbert, the Scottish midfielder, expertly placed the ball past Falk with one touch.
Bypass the newsletter advertisement.
after newsletter promotion
Hayes’s team kept up their attack, forcing Falk to make a diving save to prevent James from scoring. Despite Falk’s efforts, Chelsea maintained their momentum and Cuthbert scored again with less than 30 minutes left. She used fancy footwork to break through the defense and confidently scored her third goal in four days.
The strike drained Häcken’s strength and hushed the boisterous home crowd. Despite their efforts, Häcken didn’t pose much of a threat to Chelsea in the end. However, they were left feeling disappointed when Molly Johansson’s fantastic header was disallowed for being offside. Upon review, it appeared to be a debatable call as she was actually onside.
However, it was a showcase of Hayes’s “mentality monsters”, showcasing their exceptional skills and determination to overcome challenges. “The field conditions were difficult,” she remarked. “The crowd was fantastic and created a great atmosphere. It was a fun match between two strong teams and I am pleased with the three points.”
The victory allowed the English champions to enter the winter break with confidence, as they currently hold the top spot in both domestic and European competitions.
Source: theguardian.com
