Chelsea Women get back on track in Champions League after win at Juventus

Erin Cuthbert and Pernille Harder put Chelsea Women back on track in their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Juventus in Turin on Wednesday.

Cuthbert’s solo effort on 31 minutes settled the west Londoners nerves in the Allianz Stadium in front of a raucous Italian crowd.

The Scot weaved past three defenders before slotting home a firm left-footed drive.

But the Italians equalised soon after from a smart Barbara Bonansea volley.

There were few real clear-cut chances by either side, but a quick counter-attack on 69 minutes, involving Fran Kirby and Sam Kerr, saw Harder pop up just outside the six-yard box to notch the vital winner past French ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.

That victory gives the Blues four points from their opening two group A matches and joint top status with Wolfsburg.

Chelsea can take control of the group if they can produce back to-back victories over bottom side Servette.

Head coach Emma Hayes, while not ecstatic by her charges performance, was nevertheless pragmatically satisfied with the three points.

With her diplomat’s hat on she said: “What a great place to come and play.”

That soon changed as she explained the process that led to the victory.

“The game was scrappy, but we showed the ability to adapt, we were resilient,” she said.

Harder is the player of the season, so far for the Blues.

It was her second goal in this season’s tournament, having netted in the 3-3 draw with Wolfsburg in the opening tie.

She is proving to be vital to the Blues winning games, having notched the opener in a tense 2-0 victory against Leicester City in the WSL at the weekend.

Hayes said of the Danish forward: “She was outstanding. England is a difficult country to come and play in, but she has adapted well and has improved us. She is accountable when it matters.”

The 28-year-old is in her second season in west London, and is finally showing the high-level consistency that made her one of Europe’s most feared strikers.

She said: “I had a good pre-season and have adapted well in the side. I’ll just keep developing.”

Juventus had originally planned to play the match at the club’s training ground. But Juventus boss Joe Montemurro revealed that the club’s president changed the venue to the men’s main stadium, and gave all the tickets away for free – thus creating a big crowd who were fully behind the home side.

Harder agreed those decisions we correct. She said: “This is what a Champions League evening should feel like, fans shouting, a great pitch, it was an amazing experience.

“Juventus are a good side. They got a lot of energy from their fans. They exploited spaces we had left. But we changed tactics in the second half to counter that – we adapted successfully.”

Hayes was also pleased with Scotland attacking midfielder Cuthbert, who had an indifferent season last year, but is now on top form.

Hayes said: “Erin drove inside the Italians’ defence and took her chance well.

“There was never going to be many chances but we created enough to win. Our final pass let us down, but [Ann-Katrin] Berger had little to do. We are now in a strong position in the group.”

The format has changed from simple two-legged knockout ties to a group system.

Hayes said: “It’s not about scoring away goals now, it’s about the points.”

It’s the international break now for the women, while the men return to Premier League action on tomorrow with a tricky away match at Brentford.

Chelsea’s development side beat Bristol Rovers 2-1 in the EFL Trophy on Wednesday with goals from Jayden Wareham and Lewis Baker.

They face Derby in a PL2 match at Kingsmeadow Stadium tomorrow.