Chelsea 'where they want to be' after win over Hacken

Cuthbert has scored four goals in all competitions for Chelsea this season

Erin Cuthbert scored twice to help Chelsea move top of their Champions League group with a 3-1 victory over Hacken.

The Swedish side were unbeaten heading into Wednesday's game and a win would have seen them secure a place in the quarter-finals.

However, their hopes quickly faded when Cuthbert fired home two low strikes in the space of 12 minutes as Emma Hayes' side ended their last game of 2023 on a high.

Cheered on by a sell-out crowd, Molly Johansson thought she had netted a consolation goal in injury time, only for it to be ruled out for offside.

In Wednesday's other Group D match, Paris FC inflicted a 1-0 defeat on Real Madrid to end the Spanish team's chances of qualifying.

Reaction as Chelsea beat Hacken in the Women's Champions League

Hacken were the first to burst to life when Larisey cut back for Anna Anvegard, whose dinked shot over Zecira Musovic struck the crossbar.

A curling effort from Lauren James forced host keeper Jennifer Falk into a fingertip save before Kerr slammed home from close range.

The Hisingen Arena erupted into a blur of yellow and black as the home crowd waved flags and scarves to celebrate an equaliser as Larisey nipped in front of Jess Carter to head home Monica Jusu Bah's cross.

A frantic end to the first half saw both keepers called into action with Musovic pouncing on a through ball to deny Anvegard, while Falk made two saves in quick succession to stop Sophie Ingle and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd putting Chelsea ahead at the break.

In similar fashion to the start of the first half, Anvegard whacked the crossbar before the visitors restored their lead with Ingle finding an unmarked Cuthbert, who had plenty of time to compose herself before placing the ball in the bottom right corner.

The Scotland international showed the same coolness for her second goal with a clinical finish to put the visitors in the driving seat.

A win against Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge on 24 January will see the Blues into the quarter-finals, with their final group stage game against Paris FC on 30 January.

Clinical Cuthbert closes out Chelsea's 2023

In a frustrating goalless draw with Hacken at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, Chelsea lacked a cutting edge in front of goal against their Swedish opponents.

Despite having 71% of the possession and 22 shots and twice being denied by the woodwork, the Blues couldn't find a way through a well-organised defence.

The reverse fixture told a completely different story. Instead of playing a low block, Hacken raced out of the blocks and proved a threatening force on the counter attack, often cruising through Chelsea' defence.

However, the woodwork and Hacken's determination to push forward worked in Chelsea's favour as the visitors found gaping holes in their backline.

Cuthbert had acres of space for her first goal and she waltzed past Hacken's helpless defenders for her second, which was the the club's 100th goal of the year.

The 25-year-old's brace made sure Chelsea end 2023 on a positive note with 28 wins from 38 games.

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