MY ACCOUNT
Guro Reiten felt Chelsea were good value for their unexpected victory over European champions Lyon last night.
The Norwegian winger, 28, bagged the only goal of a pulsating Women’s Champions League quarter-final first leg, curling home a beautiful right-footed strike midway through the first half.
Few had given the Blues hope of a result in France considering Lyon have won the competition in six of the last seven seasons — yet Reiten insists the final score was no fluke.
The No11 told Chelsea’s website: “It was a great shift from everyone. We annoyed them. They didn’t know how to create chances. We know we’re very dangerous when we first get hold of the ball.
“I could have scored two, maybe should have. Sam [Kerr] had a few attempts, but we kept them away from our box. They had to go for it in the end, but luckily we didn’t concede.
“It’s a difficult place to come to, Lyon. They’ve won the Champions League I don’t know how many times! It was a tough game, we’re very happy with the result, but there’s still another game to play.”
Meanwhile, Blues boss Emma Hayes was particularly pleased with her side’s defensive approach at the Groupama Stadium.
Hayes, 46, said: “It was a good game. We showed some of the grit that we have been lacking a little recently. We were really compact and defended well.
“We had one day’s prep, so I thought the players executed the defensive game plan well.
“On the ball, we have to be a little bit better, but that’s something we’ll work on before the game at Stamford Bridge.
“We’ve been working in the last few games to really get back to our core. We pride ourselves in defending a certain way.
“Sometimes when you try and be a bit more expansive you end up conceding a little bit more. You can’t have it both ways.”
The Blues have a huge Women’s Super Leauge clash at title rivals Manchester City to negotiate on Sunday before next Thursday’s return leg in West London.
