Last night saw Chelsea take the 3 points from their fifth win in the UEFA Women's Champions League group stage, which secured them top spot in their group ahead of the quarters.
After the Blues penultimate Champions League group stage game against KF Vllaznia last
week, they knew that they could win, draw or lose this match by five goals, in order to be top.
However, they did not disappoint. On Thursday evening, they hammered PSG women three
goals to nil.
Seven out of the eleven of the starting lineup against the four nil victory over KF
Vllaznia remained in the starting selecting, with fresh faces including; Eriksson, Bright,
Cuthbert and James to come in over; Nouwen, Périsset, Fleming and Cankovic.
Sam Kerr was able to break her three game deadlock with scoring the opening goal in the
42nd minute.
However, women of the match went to the outstanding Lauren James, who
managed to score a brace in the 55th and 62nd minute.
In the 42nd minute, Sam Kerr intercepted the ball from just outside the edge of the 18-yard
box, and using the inside of her left foot, she wrapped it inside to strike the top of the right
hand side of the goal, running over to the packed West Stand to celebrate with fans.
It was then Lauren James’ turn in the 55th minute. Mistake was made by PSG goalie, Sarah
Bouhaddi, who plays it into empty space outside the 18-yard box in front of the Shed. Lauren James was able to get a foot in and Fran Kirby is able to play it through to Kerr who can play it straight to Lauren James who buried it in the back of the PSG net.
Chelsea’s third and final goal came in the 62nd minute. Lauren James was able to comfortably pick a corner and slot it home into the bottom left corner of the goal, leaving the keeper with no chance from that close up.
Emma Hayes was delighted with the performance and stated, “It was just another training
day for us!” She expressed that all the hard work that the girls are putting in, in training is
being displayed on the football pitch, and that it is great to see. She concluded with, “I
believe that every single player out there had a superb game, and I thoroughly enjoyed the
performance.”
Chelsea now has a three week break over the Christmas and New Year period, and they look
ahead to their WSL clash against Arsenal on the 15th January.