Emma Hayes makes admission after forced Chelsea decision in European away win
Emma Hayes admitted Chelsea were forced to make tactical adjustments in their 3-1 win over BK Hacken after a "laboured" first half display.
Only six days on from a dispiriting 0-0 draw with the Swedish heavyweights at Stamford Bridge, the Blues secured a crucial three points in Gothenburg that sent them top of their Women's Champions League group.
The victory ensures Hayes' side are in control their own first round destiny, as they aim to finally lift Europe's biggest prize before their manager leaves for the USWNT next summer. Chelsea needed to make tweaks after a poor spell in the opening 45 minutes, after Hacken levelled through Canadian Clarissa Larisey, while the WSL champions were down to 10 players.
That was because midfielder Erin Cuthbert was off the field receiving treatment. Chelsea initially struggled to regain a foothold in the game, but Cuthbert's two goals after the interval gave them a priceless European away win.
And Hayes, who has led her team to the top of the WSL table going into the Christmas break, said the tweaks were crucial to an improved performance after half-time.
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"I felt the first half was a little laboured by us," said Hayes. "We were static in our movement, there were positional adjustments we made at half-time to correct some of that and encourage the players to be a bit more dynamic with their rotations.
"I thought we did do that in the second half. I think we controlled the second half. It was not perfect and they created chances, but overall I think we were dominant and we deserved to win. They’re a very organised team. You could see that they are very comfortable playing at this ground.
"They scored a goal when we were down to 10 players and there was a 10-minute period in the first half when I felt we lost momentum and they were a threat in transition. The goal was just a simple ball in behind, I thought we defended it really poorly, we were late.
"But they never stopped, they created chances and I thought the late goal was onside. That’s what happens when you switch off because you’re comfortable in the game."
Erin Cuthbert scored twice for ChelseaChelsea had struggled to break down a resilient Hacken defence a week ago at Stamford Bridge. And another draw looked on the cards when Larisey levelled.
But Scottish international Cuthbert rifled them back in front after a superb pass from Sophie Ingle. She later added a third to send the Blues clear at the top of Group D, with two games to play, away to Paris FC and at home to Real Madrid.
The Chelsea boss was also delighted to navigate such a tricky away trip, with the game at Hacken's Bravida Arena played out on an artificial surface, in front of a passionate, sold out home support.
"She (Cuthbert) was my player of the match," Hayes added. "I thought she was outstanding. She was outstanding in the second half particularly.
"She was the player I wanted a little bit higher in the play, so I encouraged that at half-time. She knew the areas we wanted her to get into, she got into those areas and she got two goals. We know she’s capable of that.
"It was a tough pitch to play on and a really good crowd, they make a great atmosphere. It was an enjoyable game with two good football teams and I’m delighted with the three points."
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