Lyon 0-1 Chelsea: Guro Reit scores as the Blues take a narrow lead in the quarters

Erin Cuthbert has long been considered an all-rounder, a player who can step in anywhere. In three quick moves, she showed all sides of her game to create the magical moment that saw Chelsea beat Lyon in the first leg of their quarter-final game.

Cuthbert had won the ball in midfield and was running towards goal, closely followed by Ellie Carpenter, who was trying to yank her off the ball. Cuthbert shook her off and instinctively gave the oncoming Damaris Egurrola a nutmeg as she drove on. Cuthbert approached the box and pretended to shoot before playing a no-look pass into the path of Guro Riding. The winger hit the far corner of the net the first time.

First it was stubborn, then it was bold and then it was sublime. It was everything that sets Cuthbert and this Chelsea team apart.

“Erin hasn’t played since the Continental Cup final, she had a hamstring injury, she’s only been back in training since Monday,” said Chelsea boss Emma Hayes.

“I didn’t really know how good her legs would be, we all know she has the heart of a lion. She delivered the job we are used to.

Chelsea winger Guro Reit scored the opening goal in the quarterfinals against Lyon

Erin Cuthbert scored the goal with a magic moment to give the Blues an advantage in the first leg

Riding sent a curling effort past Christiane Endler’s dive after being set up by Cuthbert

They haven’t always been at their best this season. They suffered a painful defeat at the hands of rivals Arsenal in the Continental Cup final, a performance Hayes called unacceptable. But Chelsea always find a way to respond.

After being beaten by Manchester City in the League Cup final last year, the Blues went unbeaten for the rest of the season, winning the WSL and FA Cup. They have won four games in a row since that defeat by Arsenal – including a top-flight game against Manchester United and this first leg against the European champions.

The tie is far from over and Chelsea are yet to play in the second leg at Stamford Bridge next week. But this was a performance that meant they can compete and beat the best in Europe.

‘It [the win] will give the team a lot of confidence,’ said Hayes. “We looked nervous for the first 15 minutes. I could see a lack of movement but once we settled in we grew into the game and gained more confidence.

“The result and the clean sheet give the team that. We have a lot of respect for them. I’m happy with the 1-0 win but we know it’s only half time so there are things to improve on.”

There is no doubt that Chelsea have a lot to prove in this competition after collapsing in the final group game last season and being eliminated earlier than expected.

Hayes worked under Lyon boss Sonia Bompastor at Washington Spirit in 2011 and prevailed against her counterpart here.

Lyon were wasteful in attack and after Eugenie Le Sommer missed a glorious opening chance with Ann-Katrin Berger, Chelsea suddenly came to life.

It was a game stoppage that allowed Hayes to corner her players. The Chelsea boss was seen telling her team not to break away from Lyon and push higher onto the pitch.

That message got across clearly and within minutes Chelsea were ahead as Cuthbert’s riding skill caused a curl. Chelsea nearly doubled their lead minutes later when James sliced ​​in from the right before firing a shot at the far post.

Chelsea’s first-half dominance took a hit when Millie Bright lost to injury just before half-time. The defender, who seemed to be holding her knee, tried to continue but was clearly uncomfortable and looking dejected as she hobbled down the tunnel. Bright is vital for both club and country and with the World Cup just four months away it is hoped the injury is not serious.

Chelsea were unaffected by Bright’s injury and by the 55th minute Lyon had made three substitutions as they continued to be frustrated.

Lauren James was denied at the post as Chelsea dominated the first half against Lyon

Chelsea suffered a setback when captain Millie Bright limped off injured before half-time

Delphine Cascarino came closest in the second half for eight-time champions Lyon

Two game passages summarized how the Blues defeated the French champions. First Sara Dabritz and Selma Bacha tried to push James off the ball. They failed miserably as the Chelsea striker brushed away both players with ease. Minutes later, Cuthbert caught Wendie Renard with a late challenge and slapped the defender on the shoulder after receiving a yellow card. Renard wasn’t amused and looked like he was about to say, “Why did you do that?” The answer was in her reply. Lyon was at a loss and frustrated.

While Chelsea managed the game perfectly, they were almost the constructs of their own demise when Magda Eriksson played a horror pass straight into Bacha’s run. The full-back put the ball on to Delphine Cascarino, but her shot was nudged against the post by Ann-Katrin Berger with her fingertips.

Chelsea then had a great chance to double their lead when James Sam Kerr played on goal, but the striker could only fire over the goal.

It’s a big win in a big week for Chelsea, who meet Manchester City in WSL on Sunday. The magnitude of that victory can be seen in the fact that Lyon have not lost a first leg in a European knockout game since 2007. Now they’ve done it. The job is only half done, but Chelsea have one foot in the Champions League semi-finals.