Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said our response to a below-par first-half performance impressed her as we opened up a three-point gap at the top of Group A of the Women’s Champions League with a 1-0 win over Servette.
We had thrashed the same opposition 7-0 in our last European fixture with a devastating attacking display proving too much for the Swiss, but they were vastly improved at Kingsmeadow and it took a delightful Sam Kerr finish after the break to earn the win following great interplay with Fran Kirby.
‘The first half was nowhere near our standard,’ Hayes said. ‘We made it clear that we wanted a little more from the team.
‘Servette made it difficult for us. They had a lot of bodies behind the ball and they were aggressive.
‘We turned the ball over too much, but I am pleased with how they reacted.’
Hayes said the ‘intention, tempo, intensity’ and ability to ‘connect passes’ were much better in the second period.
‘Our best chance came late on and perhaps the scoreline should have been a little bit more,’ she added.
‘I am happy with the three points but not overwhelmed by the performance.
‘We should be winning these games; they are a part-time team. We should expect to win if we want to progress in the competition but we will focus on the positives and go from there.’
Chelsea are now three points clear of Juventus with two games to play.
The Italian side, who beat Wolfsburg in their fourth group game, provide our next European opposition, visiting Kingsmeadow on Wednesday8 December. The fixture comes three days after the Vitality Women’s FA Cup final against Arsenal at Wembley.
‘We got three points, a clean sheet and we are top of the group,’ Hayes added. ‘That is the most important thing.
‘If we win our games we qualify. That is our focus.
‘Juventus are improving and we look forward to playing them. They were tough to play away from home. We got a great result there. We have a great record at home.’
Hayes was full of praise for forward Lauren James, who made her much-anticipated debut as a late substitute.
‘She was exceptional,’ Hayes said. ‘The ball stuck, she held it up really well, she linked really well and she could have scored two goals.
‘We need to build her fitness, but she has shown that she can bring something to our team. Her technical qualities are outrageous and I am looking forward to building on her debut.’