Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Cuthbert’s masterclass leads Blues to West Ham thrashing
CHELSEA Ladies winger Erin Cuthbert stole the show as the Blues cruised past West Ham 8-0 at Cherry Reds Records Stadium in the Women’s Super League on Sunday.
Maren Mjelde and Bethany England’s early strikes put their side in control before Sophie Ingle scored in the 45th minute to give the Blues a three-goal half-time lead.
The Blues’ domination continued in the second period as England and Mjelde added to their tallies while the creative Cuthbert and substitutes Ramona Bachmann and Emily Murphy also scored.
The hosts took the lead in the seventh minute when winger Mjelde profited from a defensive gaffe as she pounced on a loose ball before slotting home.
Within five minutes, Chelsea’s lead was doubled when Cuthbert’s defence-cutting pass found England, who dribbled past Courtney Brosnan to score into an empty net.
Just on the stroke of half-time, the Blues added a third when Cuthbert’s corner found Sophie Ingle, who headed home.
In the 52nd minute, Cuthbert managed to get her goal, her strike from outside the box finding its way into the net.
England scored another with 56 minutes on the board, heading the ball into the net from a Cuthbert corner, and four minutes later Mjelde scored her second, coolly finishing Jonna Andersson’s cross.
Another defensive error in the 87th minute saw Bachmann score before Murphy found the net in the first minute of stoppage time to make it eight.
Cuthbert said: “We went up another level. I was quite shocked because I thought there was going to be a bit of fatigue in our legs.
“We’re playing three games a week and still able to perform in all three.
“It’s exciting and I love playing with this team. I’m playing in different positions but I’m happy the team’s playing really well. It’s a happy camp.
“I always seem to score in the harder ones. I was playing in Sam Kerr’s place and it was a relief more than anything to see it go into the back of net.
“To win the league we need to focus on one game at a time. We need to show it every game. There’s no looking far ahead.”
To follow the action, buy tickets and sign up for The FA Player’s live Barclays FA Women’s Super League coverage, visit womenscompetitions.thefa.com.