Lyon Féminin 0-1 Chelsea Women
A magnificent Guru Reiten curler secured the win against Lyon that gives Chelsea Women the edge ahead of their Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Bridge on Thursday.
Wednesday night's 1-0 win in France fully justified gaffer Emma Hayes' decision to make dramatic wholesale changes to her starting line-up and formation three days earlier when the Blues continued their march to the arch with a 3-1 FA Cup victory over Reading.
That featured the surreal sight of Niamh Charles playing as centre forward, while space had also been found for attack-minded Russian defender Alsu Abdullina to not only start, but shine.
Abdullina – something of a ghost figure at Chelsea in recent months – had an excellent game against the Royals, with a display of physical dominance and grit, while Hayes felt so confident at 3-0 up that she gave debuts to no fewer than three kids... Reanna Blades, Ashanti Akpan and Carys Brown.
This is women's football weekend, with the spotlight trained completely on the women's game as the men are off on international duties, and the plum fixture being Chelsea's trek to Manchester to face City on Sunday lunchtime.
Live on the telly, it promises to be another stern test of the Blues' ambition, but it sees Hayes short at the back after her most reliable defender, Millie Bright, limped off at Lyon.
On the plus side, Erin Cuthbert and Lauren James (who hit the post) both looked confident and sparkling, however.
"I'm satisfied to win 1-0," said Hayes. "But we know it's only half-time, so there are things to improve on. Pressure situations are moments that reveal your character, your wisdom, and we played with a wise head tonight."
Expect another personnel shuffle ahead of the trip to Manchester, with Charles likely to start and Abdullina hoping for another chance to stake a claim for a regular spot.
Magda Eriksson, who came on for the injured Bright in France, could return to the centre of the Blues' defence, but as it's looking increasingly likely that the Chelsea captain will be leaving the club in two months' time, succession planning is already underway.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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