That was the week that was for Erin afterthumpingwin
Er in Cuthber t jetted out to the United States yesterday for a muchneeded holiday at the end of a week she’ll never forget.
It started when the 23- year- old posed for pictures with her proud parents on Monday after graduating with a degree in business management from the Open University.
Then, on Friday night at the Stadion Miejski in Rzeszow, Cuthbert scored the second goal and swung over the corners for Martha Thomas to get the third and fourth against Ukraine.
It won the Chelsea midfielder the Player of the Match award, after Caroline Weir had opened the scoring with a penalty.
The 4- 0 win in neutral Poland, with all the goals coming before half- time, has all but ensured that Cuthbert’s side will be in October’s World Cup play-offs.
“I think the first half was probably our most complete performance,” Cuthbert pointed out.
“It can be hard to come out for the second 45 and produce the same intensity when you are 4-0 up.
“But it was a good win, and a clean sheet, which is something we have struggled with at times in this campaign.
“This week has been one of the best of my life, and the degree topped it off.
“It was a great day, and it was amazing for me to have my family there beside me.
“Then to come away and get a goal, in what was a really well- worked performance, feels great.”
Cuthbert has come off a season in which Chelsea retained the WSL title and the FA Cup, but she admits there was one aspect she found difficult to cope with.
The Euros get under way at Old Trafford a week on Wednesday, and despite having qualified for Euro 2017 and the World Cup in France two years later, Scotland won’t be involved.
“I don’t think you can underestimate what not going to be there is like,” Cuthbert said.
“We were devastated after qualifying for the previous two tournaments.
“For six months, all I have heard about in a dressing- room full of international players is the Euros, the Euros, the Euros.
“It genuinely is difficult to listen to it when you are not involved.
“I am determined to channel that frustration into a positive and use it now to qualify for this World Cup.”
The tournament is being played in Australia and New Zealand next summer.