The Swedish outfit left Stamford Bridge with a valuable point after a rather flat performance from Emma Hayes' side
Chelsea are the dominant force in English women's football. They're one of the best teams in Europe, even, and a side who always find a way to win. On Thursday, when Hacken were in town for their UEFA Women's Champions League clash, the Blues were far from their best but it always felt like that goal would come and that they would somehow get the win they needed to take top spot in Group D. But for once, that wasn't the case. Instead, a goalless draw means that Hacken, the Swedish underdogs, sit at the summit, ahead of Chelsea, Real Madrid and a giant-killing Paris FC side, at the halfway point of the group stage.
The Blues never really looked in danger of conceding but were flat throughout the game at the other end of the pitch, their play lacking any real urgency or incision to break down a Hacken side that came into this match off the back of a 2-1 win over Real Madrid. Erin Cuthbert hit the bar in the first half after doing well with a pass that came at her at an awkward height and the Scotland international set up Johanna Rytting Kaneryd just before the hour for Chelsea's best chance, too, but the Swede was thwarted one-on-one by Jennifer Falk as she tried to break the deadlock against her former club.
Sam Kerr hit the bar moments later from a corner and looked to have got the hosts the goal they were searching for when she nodded home a cross from Lauren James as the game entered its final stages, only to be denied by the offside flag. Chelsea did pile on the pressure as the final whistle neared but few clear-cut opportunities came from their dominance, with James having a shot parried away in stoppage time as Hacken held on for a very valuable draw which keeps them a point ahead of the Blues in Group D.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Stamford Bridge…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Zecira Musovic (6/10):
Had very little to do.
Eve Perisset (6/10):
Good on the ball and created chances with her set-piece deliveries.
Kadeisha Buchanan (6/10):
Solid in just her third start of the season.
Jess Carter (6/10):
Made a particularly good interception in the first half that led to the attack in which Cuthbert hit the bar.
Niamh Charles (6/10):
A good, all-round performance at both ends of the pitch, albeit without inspiring Chelsea on the attack.
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Sophie Ingle (5/10):
Fantastic in her midfield duels but couldn't inject the pace needed in the attack with her passing.
Erin Cuthbert (7/10):
So close to breaking the deadlock when her volley struck the bar and bounced off the line. Was positive on the ball, setting up Rytting Kaneryd for a huge chance, and won it back herself a lot, too.
Fran Kirby (6/10):
Came close to forcing an own goal in the opening minutes. Some nice link-up play with those around her.
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Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (5/10):
Did her defensive duties well and tried to make things happen going forward but struggled to have a major impact. Had a huge chance one-on-one but was thwarted by Falk.
Sam Kerr (5/10):
Strayed offside too often, which halted a good number of promising attacks. Might've been unfortunate to have a header ruled out – the offside decision was close.
Guro Reiten (6/10):
Linked up well with Charles on the more threatening side of Chelsea's attack. A promising return to the starting XI after injury.
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Lauren James (6/10):
Had just under half an hour to make an impact and almost scored in stoppage time, but for a good save from Falk.
Sjoeke Nusken (5/10):
Came on at the same time as James but couldn't get involved much.
Aggie Beever-Jones (N/A):
Brought on with around 15 minutes to go.
Mia Fishel (N/A):
Only on for the final 10 minutes.
Emma Hayes (5/10):
Her team's performance was lethargic and lacked urgency throughout, with nothing changing after the break or when the substitutes came on. Decision to take off Cuthbert, who was Chelsea's most positive player in trying to break Hacken down, was a surprise.
