Chelsea welcomed BK Häcken to Stamford Bridge on Thursday – with the attendance set to a maximum capacity of 5000 fans as the London club continue to work on the sustainability of the women’s game.
CHE: Musovic; Charles, Carter, Buchanan, Persist; Ingle, Cuthbert; Reiten, Kirby, Rytting Kaneryd; Kerr
HAC: Falk; Junttila-Nelhage, Luik, Rybrink, Kosola; Fossdalsá, Bergman-Lundin; Sandberg, Kafaji, Anvegård; Larisey
Having finished as runners-up in the Swedish Damallsvenskan, BK Häcken had not played a competitive fixture since toppling Real Madrid in the UEFA Women’s Champions League last month.
But tasked with the challenge of extending their unbeaten start to life in Europe’s finest competition, the visitors took control – defending with a remarkable assertion against a free-flowing wave of Chelsea attacks.
Embed from Getty ImagesEmma Hayes’ side did well to win the midfield battle and send probing balls through the final line of the Häcken defence, but to no avail.
Introduced into the fray in the second half, Lauren James looked to have assisted Sam Kerr for the elusive winning goal – but the Australian’s strike was disallowed as she had strayed offside before heading home from the English international’s cross.
With Emma Hayes’ departure at the end of the league season now confirmed, Chelsea must look to regain confidence if they’re to challenge for European silverware. Having suffered a 4-1 loss at the Emirates Stadium last weekend, victory at Bristol City on Sunday will be almost imperative as they strive to regain confidence ahead of the return Häcken fixture in Gothenburg next week.
