Held to a goalless draw against BK Häcken just a week ago at Stamford Bridge, Emma Hayes’ Chelsea travelled to Göteborg on Wednesday, seeking to pick up three points against Swedish opposition and claim top spot in their UEFA Women’s Champions League group.
HAC: Falk; Junttila-Nelhage, Luik, Rybrink, Kosola; Fossdalsá, Curmark; Jusu Bah, Kafaji, Larisey; Anvegård
CHE: Mušović; Charles, Carter, Buchanan, Lawrence; Ingle, Cuthbert; Reiten, James, Rytting Kaneryd; Kerr
BK Häcken have been something of a surprise contender in Europe this season, sitting at the helm of Group D ahead of Wednesday’s match. That reputation looked set to continue early on in Sweden, with Clarissa Larisey striking the woodwork after just four first-half minutes.
In front of a sell-out crowd though, it was none other than Sam Kerr to open the scoring from close range just before the fifteen-minute mark. But if Chelsea thought their task was a simple one, they’d be wrong – Larisey made amends for her earlier miss as she slammed a thunderous headed effort past Zećira Mušović to restore parity before the break.
Häcken perhaps emerged as the stronger of the two sides after the interval, with Anna Anvegård striking the crossbar before Chelsea found the back of the net. This time it was Erin Cuthbert on the scoresheet, arriving with plenty of time to place Sophie Ingle’s ball into the bottom corner.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Scottish international would not be done there though, displaying a similar composure for her second goal – that came just twelve minutes later, with Kerr registering the assist as the Blues looked to assert control of the fixture.
Chelsea now move to the top of Group D of the 2023/24 UEFA Women’s Champions League, sitting a point ahead of BK Häcken, who would have qualified for the quarterfinals with a win. Chelsea can seal their participation in the knockouts with victory against already-eliminated Real Madrid on January 24.
