Chelsea Women: 3 takeaways from massive UWCL win over Lyon

Behind a brilliant finish by Guro Reiten, Emma Hayes’ Chelsea Women walked into Groupama Stadium and took down the current Champions League holders in the first leg of the quarterfinals.

Like Emma Hayes said post match, the job is half done. After seven games in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, the Chelsea Women are still unbeaten. Just a few months ago, the Blues began their campaign in Europe in France’s capital, and now they begin their quest toward a semifinal just 290 miles south.

It is clear the path Emma Hayes’ side has to take in order to reach their second-ever Champions League final. With the support of nearly everyone on the team, the west London side took the defending Champions League winners head on. It was a scrappy game for the most part, but after the Blues settled into the match, the Norwegian superstar struck with her weaker foot. Erin Cuthbert did not participate in any of the last three games. Despite the fact that it was obvious as she walked off that she was still recovering from a tight hamstring, the Scottish midfielder battled through it.

Erin Cuthbert’s persistence leads to a sensational finish on the Norwegian’s superstar weaker foot.

The current leaders in France’s top-flight were limited to just two shots on target. From timely clearances to prolific tackles, the Blues’ back four was locked in to the gameplan. Delphine Cascarino and Eugenie Le Sommer are top-class attackers, and with a short turnaround, the Blues were able to prevent any real threat at Ann-Katrin Berger. Many of Lyon’s largest chances came due to self-inflicting errors, and with Ada Hegerberg more than likely back for the second leg, that has to be cleaned up. Jess Carter

Sure, it is only the first part of what needs to be done in order for the Blues to advance, but a win at the home of the Champions League holders boosts the confidence of everyone at the club. Hayes’ squad is hardly complacent. They know what lies ahead. This may be one of the biggest wins in the history of the football club, but it will mean nothing if the west Londoners fall flat on March 30 under the lights at Stamford Bridge. Reiten’s roar after her goal tells the whole story. This win means a lot.

This club knew how close it was back in 2019, but now, this squad is geared up to contend for the title. Hayes’ team is not intimidated by anyone. While winning domestic titles is something this group takes pride in, this win once again proves to everyone that this could be the year they are crowned the rulers of Europe.

3 takeaways from one of the most memorable nights for the Blues this season.

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.

Chelsea Women’s Lauren James makes the Lyon defense look silly

How many times can we say this before we become a broken record? This season is the emergence of Lauren James as one of the world’s best footballers. Her on the pitch v her off of it makes a world of a difference for this CFC side. The way she takes on defenders with such composure and grace is unmatched by anyone in world football.

On the biggest stage, James completed 100 percent of her long passes while completing four of her six take-ons. James made the backline of Lyon look foolish at times. Never does she feel rushed with the ball at her feet. At the top of women’s European football, the pace of the game is off the charts. The Blues right winger continuously finds a way to play the game at the pace she wants it to be played at.

Just minutes after Reiten scored the opening goal, James found herself on the right flank in position to attack right at Perle Morroni and Lyon’s backline. After gliding past the Lyon left-back, James fired in a rocket with her right foot that stuck the post, sending warning signs to Sonia Bompastor’s side of what she is capable of.

She near had herself an assist too in the second half after putting the ball on a plate to Sam Kerr before her shot went just wide. No matter the opponent, no matter the turnaround to the next game, James always produces. It may not always show up in the goals or assists department, but her influence on any game is evident from start to finish.

The Chelsea Women Defence stands up as Millie Bright leaves due to injury

For just the second time this season in all competitions, the 15-time Division 1 Féminine winners were held to just two shots on target. Even with the majority of the possession, Bompastor’s team could not find a way to create a quality opportunity that challenged the German goalkeeper between the sticks. The Blues contained Lyon’s plethora of world-class talent.

Captain Mille Bright may have come off due to an injury late in the first half, but Magdalena Eriksson filled in seamlessly. She did have that one error in the back that Lyon nearly capitalized on, but other than that, the center back pairing of Eriksson and Canadian Kadeisha Buchanan formed a wall that the eight-time Champions League winners could not discover a way through.

On the left side, Carter caused all sorts of problems for Cascarino as she kept the dangerous French attacker in front of her at all costs. Carter may not be the quickest of defenders, but her timing, and attention to detail in one on one situations more than make up for it.

Bright coming off due to an injury is concerning for both the Manchester City match this weekend, and the second leg at the Bridge next week. Seeing the back four thrive without the heart and soul is a positive sign. Being able to substitute a player like Eriksson on is such a luxury. With Hegerberg most likely back into the Lyon team next week, the task for the Blues defense is going to get that much more difficult.