Hayes – ‘Absolutely vital’ that World Cup legacy leads to more female coaches and at board level
Chelsea secured their first victory of this season’s Women’s Champions League in an emphatic win over Paris FC at Stamford Bridge. Needing a positive result after being held to a draw against Real Madrid last time out, the Blues took the lead through Sam Kerr on the half hour mark. Chelsea’s captain for the night poking home Lauren James’ threaded pass into the box.
Eight minutes later Paris responded. Thea Graboval leaping into the air from a corner to float the ball over Ann-Katrin Berger and send the visitors into the break on level terms.
Berger made up for that goal by denying Mathilde Bourdieu early in the second half before Kerr poked the Blues ahead two minutes later. She completed her hat-trick by chipping the ball over the goalkeeper and opening up a comfortable lead for the hosts.
There was more to come though as Sophie Ingle came off the bench, met a corner ball with a volley in stoppage time and slotted her effort into the far bottom corner. Chelsea remain second in the group but they’re back to winning ways in Europe.
Relive the Women’s Champions League action below:
FT Chelsea 4-1 Paris FC
Chelsea striker Sam Kerr speaking on DAZN: “The first half was difficult. They are a hard team to break down. Once we cleaned up our passes and upped our level a little bit we helped ourselves out. They are a tough team to break down.
“It is difficult. It is just part of my game, the number nine in most teams needs to stay switched on and be ready. When I’m not at my full fitness it is difficult but it is OK.
“Fran [Kirby] has had an amazing career and we know what she’s done for Chelsea. She added a different spark tonight.
“I felt like I was lucky with my first touch for my hat-trick goal but then I saw her back-pedalling so I thought I’d try the lob. I don’t mind those ones to be honest!
“I am getting really close to 100%. I just need more consistency, more training and more games. This last block has been difficult because you don’t train that often. I am pretty close but I’m not quite there yet.
“I asked what score the Hacken-Madrid game was when I came off!”
Mike Jones23 November 2023 22:17
FT Chelsea 4-1 Paris FC
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(Action Images via Reuters)
Mike Jones23 November 2023 22:03
FT Chelsea 4-1 Paris FC
What that victory means is that Chelsea remain second in Group D but open up a three point lead over Real Madrid who lost to Hacken tonight.
Hacken are still at the top of the table and will take on Emma Hayes’ side next in what should be a barnstorming contest. Those two fixtures could determine which team finishes top of the group.
Mike Jones23 November 2023 22:00
Full-time! Chelsea 4-1 Paris FC
90+5 mins: Chelsea get their win.
After the disappointment of drawing with Real Madrid last week, Emma Hayes’ side were determined to set their Women’s Champions League campaign going under the lights at Stamford Bridge.
A well fought first half saw the teams evenly matched with Thea Graboval cancelling out Sam Kerr’s opener to send the teams into the break on level terms.
After Paris failed to take the lead early in the second half, Chelsea stepped on the gas. Kerr added two more goal in quick successive to open up a cushion and from there the Blues were never in danger.
Sophie Ingle came off the bench to add a fourth in injury time but the most important thing is Chelsea pick up all three points.
Mike Jones23 November 2023 21:51
GOAL! Chelsea 4-1 Paris FC (Ingle, 90+1’)⚽️
90+1 mins: Chelsea secure the points!
In the first of five stoppage time minutes, the Blues win a corner and swing the ball into the middle of the box. Sophie Ingle breaks away from her marker, meets the ball on the volley and turns it into the far bottom corner!
Mike Jones23 November 2023 21:48
Chelsea 3-1 Paris FC
89 mins: Chance! Louise Fleury goes on a brilliant run through the inside left channel before bringing the ball to the front edge of the box and taking a shot before she’s closed down.
She hits it quite well but sends the effort into the hands of Ann-Katrin Berger.
Mike Jones23 November 2023 21:47
Chelsea 3-1 Paris FC
85 mins: Kadeisha Buchanan picks up a yellow card for a late tackle and Emma Hayes wastes no time in managing the game.
With Millie Bright injured, Buchanan has a big role to play in central defence so Hayes hooks the defender and brings on Maren Mjelde in her place.
Mike Jones23 November 2023 21:40
Chelsea 3-1 Paris FC
82 mins: Paris FC make a double change as the match enters the final 10 minutes. Teninsoun Sissoko and Julie Dufour go off with Kessya Bussy and Celina Ould Hocine coming on.
Mike Jones23 November 2023 21:39
Chelsea 3-1 Paris FC
79 mins: Save! Paris are still knocking on the door and they’re being driven on by their captain, Getane Thiney. She makes a fine run into the box and collects a threaded pass before pulling it back into the middle.
Julie Dufour arrives into space and hooks a shot at goal but Ann-Katrin Berger is up to the task of palming the ball over the crossbar!
Mike Jones23 November 2023 21:36
Chelsea 3-1 Paris FC
76 mins: Emma Hayes believes that this game is in the bag. She takes off her big guns, Sam Kerr and Lauren James, who both receive loud rounds of applause as they depart the pitch.
In their place come Mia Fishel and Eve Perisset.
Mike Jones23 November 2023 21:32
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
