BK Hacken 1-3 Chelsea: Erin Cuthbert scores twice as Chelsea move top of UEFA Women’s Champions League group

Erin Cuthbert starred as Chelsea went top of Group D in the UEFA Women’s Champions League with a hard-earned 3-1 win away at surprise packages BK Hacken.

The Swedish hosts started the night at the top of the group and showed why with an excellent display that saw them hit the bar twice and have a late goal ruled out for a harsh offside decision.

But Chelsea, who are looking for a first Champions League crown to end the Emma Hayes era on a high, put in a professional performance of their own to leave Gothenburg with all three points.

Sam Kerr opened the scoring with a classy close-range finish, only for Clarissa Larisey to equalise before the break after a scything counter-attack.

But Scottish midfielder Cuthbert proved the match-winner with a second half brace, drilling a low shot into the far corner on 53 minutes before scoring the goal of the match after a jinking run 13 minutes later to secure victory for her side.

Draws with Real Madrid and Hacken in their first three matches left Chelsea in danger of not making it out of the group at the midway point.

But this result over the in-form Swedes makes all the difference, with Chelsea now a point clear of Hacken at the top and facing the prospect of securing progress in the next round of matches.

Real Madrid’s loss to Paris FC means they are out, which is quite the shock. So it’s Chelsea who lead on eight points, with Hacken on seven and Paris on six, with Hayes’ side hosting Real Madrid in London when the competition resumes after the winter break.

Chelsea finish with what could yet be a crunch final game away at Paris FC.

The Chelsea midfielder always works her socks off, but this was a chance for her to showcase a more attacking side of her game, as she popped up twice in the final third to get on the end of the sort of moves that she typically starts.

Her finishes for both goals were excellent, but it was her run for Chelsea’s third that really stood out, leaving defenders trailing in her wake as she glided into the box. She’s a class act.

Häcken: Falk 8, Kosola 7, Rybrink 7, Luik, 7 Junttila-Nelhage 7, Curmark 7, Sorensen 7, Anvegard 8, Kafaji 7, Jusu Bah 8, Larisey 8. Subs: Sandberg 7, Schroder 7, Bergman Lundin 6, Grant 6, Johansson 8.

Chelsea: Musovic 6, Lawrence 7, Buchanan 8, Carter 7, Charles 8, Cuthbert 9, Ingle 7, Kaneryd 9, James 7, Reiten 5, Kerr 7. Subs: Fleming 6, Nusken 6, Fishel 6, Beever-Jones 6.

4’ – OFF THE BAR! The home side very nearly take the lead as Anvegard gets on the end of a low cross into the box and flicks a first-time shot over Musovic from a tight angle that crashes away off the bar. That was a beautiful attempt and so close to an opening goal for Häcken.

15’ – GOAL! HACKEN 0-1 CHELSEA (KERR): Chelsea have the lead! It’S great work from Kaneryd down the right, who shows strength to keep the ball in and lay the ball in for Kerr, who finishes first-time at the near post, shooting high into the roof of the net. 1-0 Chelsea.

27’ – GOAL! HACKEN 1-1 CHELSEA (LARISEY): What a counter that is! The hosts break through the lightning Josu Bah down the left, who bursts away from Lawrence, meaning Buchanan has to come across. She then picks out the cross, and Canadian striker Clarissa Larisey heads home from close range. That is class. 1-1.

44’ – GREAT SAVE! Chelsea almost take the lead as Kerr holds the ball up well and the move finds Ingle in space on the edge of the box. Her shot is destined for the bottom corner, but Falk stretches out a palm low to her right to make an excellent stop.

49’ – OFF THE BAR! Hacken should be ahead. Another incisive counter-attack sees Anvegard set up on the left of the box, and her terrific effort beats Musovic but cannons back off the bar. That’s twice she’s hit the woodwork in this game.

53’ – GOAL! HACKEN 1-2 CHELSEA (CUTHBERT): Ruthless from Chelsea as they work the ball into the box from the right through Kaneryd again. The cross doesn’t find Kerr, but Ingle picks up the clearance on the edge of the ball, feeds Cuthbert in space to her left, and the Scot drills a low shot into the bottom corner. 2-1.

66’ – GOAL! HACKEN 1-3 CHELSEA (CUTHBERT): Is that the game for Chelsea? It’s a second for Erin Cuthbert, who dances into the box, leaving a defender stranded with a clever dummy, and drills a low effort through the keeper. 3-1.

90’ – NO GOAL! Johannson heads a deep cross over Musovic and in. It should set up a grandstand finish, but the flag is up for offside. That was not offside, not by quite a long way, and the home fans voice their displeasure.

• Hacken had won seven of their previous eight games in all competitions prior to this defeat.
• Chelsea will finish 2023 sitting top of both their UEFA Women’s Champions League group and the Barclays Women’s Super League table.