Chelsea Women: 3 takeaways from massive UWCL win over Lyon

Chelsea Women midfielder Erin Cuthbert has the heart of a warrior

What a player. The Scottish midfielder has been watching from afar for the past three matches after suffering a hamstring injury in the Conti Cup final, but walked right into the Champions League quarterfinal with ease. Only Erin Cuthbert has the ability to do that. In a middle lined with world-class talent on the other side of the ball, Cuthbert did not give an inch.

From the physicality she presented to Les Lyonnaises’ captain Wendie Renard to the determination to win the ball in the middle of the pitch, the Scot was a difference maker. Her nutmeg, and assist to Reiten was one of the extraordinary sequences by an individual CFC player so far this season. Blues’ fans will be replaying that goal for the next week until the second leg. Just when the play looked dead after Ellie Carpenter intercepted Melanie Leupolz’s pass, Cuthbert battles to win the ball and then proceeds to nutmeg Damaris Egurrola. Her will to keep with the play ultimately was the key difference to why the Blues left France with a one-goal advantage.

She may have only made it to the 70′, but without Cuthbert’s tenacity and influence on the game, the breakthrough would have never come about. Usually, it takes time for someone to get acclimated after missing a few games. The Scottish midfielder is truly a different breed. Hayes more than likely had the idea to rest Cuthbert a few extra games to keep her fresh for the most important one. Not only is Cuthbert back, she returned at the perfect time as the schedule begins to ramp up.