Reiten gives Chelsea first-leg lead in France

Guro Reiten scored the only goal of the game as Chelsea earned a one-goal lead in the Champions League quarter-final in France.

The reigning European champions started the better of the two teams in Lyon with Ann-Katrin Berger needing to be quick off her line early on to prevent Eugénie Le Sommer from being through.

Chelsea looked dangerous on the break with Sam Kerr constantly looking for any balls over the top and the pace of Lauren James threatening.

However, it was the tenacity of Erin Cuthbert that helped give the visitors the lead in the 28th minute. The Scotland international won the ball in midfield and got the ball past one Lyon player before playing in Guro Reiten on the left wing.  Reiten then cut inside and sent a curling effort from her right foot into the corner with Christiane Endler unable to get near it.

It was the kind of superb technique that Sara Däbritz was almost able to replicate for Lyon but her shot went just wide of the goal.

Everything looked like it was going to plan for Emma Hayes until Millie Bright picked up an injury and couldn’t continue meaning that Magdalena Eriksson took Bright’s position in the team and her captain’s armband.

It was Eriksson who accidentally set up Lyon’s best chance with an hour gone. Chelsea were trying to play out from the back when the Swedish defender gave the ball away. Luckily for the Blues, Delphine Cascarino’s resulting effort bounced off the post.

Daniëlle van de Donk had a late effort for Sonia Bompastor’s side but Chelsea were able to hold on to what could be a crucial 1-0 lead into the second leg at Stamford Bridge next Thursday.

ADVANTAGE CHELSEA! 😍#UWCL pic.twitter.com/SNwQd6A6lL

— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) March 22, 2023