Player ratings as Blues book their place in UWCL knockouts

Chelsea have booked their place in the Champions League knockouts with a game to spare after beating Real Madrid 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Guro Reiten’s second half penalty broke the deadlock to gave Chelsea the lead in the 62nd minute. Real Madrid responded well with substitute Athenea del Castillo netting in the 69th minute. But, less than 60 seconds later, skipper Erin Cuthbert foiled Madrid’s defence, forcing goalkeeper Mylene Chavas to palm the ball into her own net to ultimately giving the Blues the win.

Manager Emma Hayes made two changes to the side that thrashed Manchester United 3-1 in the WSL over the weekend with goalkeeper Hannah Hampton retaining her starting spot, and making her Champions League debut in the process.

The victory ensures Chelsea will be in the quarter-final draw after matchday six at the end of the month.

How the game unfolded

Chelsea’s first real dangerous moment of the evening came from Fran Kirby who had the ball on the edge of the box and slotted through to Cuthbert, but her shot is well read and stopped by Chavas.

Madrid had luck on their side when prolific goalscorer and third place Best FIFA Women’s Player Linda Caicedo was permitted to continue after taking a hefty challenge and looking in some degree of pain. The visitors were lightning-quick on the counter-attack, exploiting the tired legs in hosts legs, playing their second of three games in seven days.

Both sides were battling for control and chances for much of the second half. Cuthbert and Kirby were using the link-up well, proving to be the Blues’ main two attacking threats but each squandered chances as Chelsea, normally so strong in the wide areas, were uncharacteristically poor as capitalising on those movements.

At the hour mark, the tie really came alive. In the 62nd minute, Charles was brought down by a hefty challenge from Hayley Raso, with Reiten expertly converted the penalty into the bottom right corner.

Madrid rebounded well as seven minutes later, substitute Del Castillo was able to net Hampton’s rebounded save, levelling the score. But in the blink of an eye, Cuthbert’s tenacity was no match for Chavas who palmed the ball into her own net one minute later, sealing Chelsea’s win.

GK: Hannah Hampton – 8/10 – A lovely European debut for Hampton.

RB: Ashley Lawrence – 6/10 – Did well to get forward and make the visting defence split to try and handle the extra attack.

CB: Jess Carter – 6/10 – Lack of pace…