Blues equal record in victory over United
CHELSEA boss Emma Hayes felt “the difference was experience” as her side claimed a 2-1 win in their top-of-thetable clash with challengers Manchester United.
The Blues equalled the record for the longest unbeaten run in Women’s Super League history as they moved to the summit and ended United’s unbeaten start to the campaign.
Pernille Harder opened the scoring for Chelsea on the half-hour mark, and after Reds substitute Lauren James had curled in a superb equaliser after 61 minutes, Fran Kirby struck the winner four minutes later. Hayes singled out Erin Cuthbert for praise but was impressed by the whole team, saying: “The game plan worked. The players executed what I asked of them.”
Cuthbert was instrumental in creating chances for the home side, and Hayes added: “She had a job to do and she did exactly what I asked her to do. You don’t find players like Erin Cuthbert any more.”
United have enjoyed a fine start under Casey Stoney, and Hayes said: “Casey has a tremendous team that are challenging us. United are the best team we have played this year, they are a tough side.”
Stoney felt her team’s four-week break without a game put them at a disadvantage.
“In the first half we were nowhere near our standards, but second half we were a lot better,” she said.
“For the first 45 minutes Chelsea were brighter, sharper, quicker to the ball. Their decision-making was quicker, you could tell that we hadn’t played.”
Stoney was disappointed her team could not grind out a draw after James’ “exquisite” finish brought them level and bemoaned United’s defending.
“At 1-1 you take a point and you walk away,” she said. “It was out of character but we have to be able to defend a long ball. We have to head it, we have to clear it, we have to deal with it.”