Thank you for joining me for this match! Sam Kerr’s hat-trick plus Sophie Ingle’s one-touch finish sealed three points for Chelsea as their impressive run of form continues. The scoreboard doesn’t look too kind for Paris FC, who had a good first half, but they have time in the group stage to muscle their way to the knock-outs. We will be back with more Women’s Champions League action when the group stage returns on 13 December. For all the action from tonight have a read of the report:
Here’s what the goalscoring board looks like after the first two rounds of the group stage:
The top scorers after the first two rounds of the @UWCL group stage (Romée Leuchter of AFC Ajax scored seven times in qualifying) #CHEPFC pic.twitter.com/qaHN625Ehd
— Asif Burhan (@AsifBurhan) November 23, 2023
Chelsea fans seemed to like that one!
What a night at the Bridge! 💙#UWCL pic.twitter.com/rzZbGgFpwa
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) November 23, 2023
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes told DAZN: “I felt we lacked a player closer to Sam Kerr and I brought on Kirby at half-time, I think that worked well. I thought we looked leggy tonight, it was quiet in the dressing room at half-time so full credit to the team. Paris are a good team, don’t take anything away from them. I had to keep moving, it was a game of chess tonight.”
Kerr has just thrown the match ball, which she was allowed to keep after the hat-trick, into the crowd for a fan to take home!
Chelsea’s last two matches have been at Stamford Bridge, they won both games and scored nine goals. They are on a roll and the team have not lost any match in any competition this season.
Kerr added on her third: “I thought I was kind of lucky. I saw her back peddling, I thought I’d try it! I am getting close to 100% fitness, I just need more consistency, more training, more games. I just need to keep building.”
Chelsea captain Sam Kerr told DAZN: “It was difficult they are a hard team to break down. i think Fran is an amazing player, she has had an amazing career and we know what she can do for Chelsea.” And Sophie Ingle said: “I think everyone is always ready, if one drops out someone else is ready. Millie is a big miss.”
Here is Chelsea’s fourth goal, a clinical set piece move:
Sophie Ingle finished off a brilliant performance for Chelsea. 🙌
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) November 23, 2023
🏴 🎙️ 👉 https://t.co/jWZ0fW8CGB
🇫🇷 🎙️ 👉 https://t.co/SzA1yH7CPE
🇧🇷 🎙️ 👉 https://t.co/gE1izq2GLv #UWCLonDAZN pic.twitter.com/nkdMrzOtXN
In the other 8pm kick-off, Roma have sealed the win with a 3-0 result over Ajax.
Of course Kerr was incredible this evening, a 55 minute hat-trick, but other mentions have to go to Kaneryd, Berger and Kirby. Can Chelsea win the tournament this season? They are certainly capable.
Full-time! Chelsea 4-1 Paris FC
Sam Kerr is the hat-trick hero but the scoreboard doesn’t reflect the game as Paris had a good performance for a large portion of the match. The first half they arguably had the upperhand with Greboval cancelling out Kerr’s opener. But Berger’s save early on in the second 45 and goals from Kerr and Ingle seals the three points for Chelsea – they do not go top of the group though as they are on four points and Hacken have six.
90 + 4 min: Chelsea look for their fifth of the evening, Cuthbert gets in a great position and passes to Kirby, the Scotland international should have taken a shot I think! The chance eventually dissipates.
GOAL! Chelsea 4-1 Paris FC (Ingle, 90 + 2')
Perisset takes the corner and Ingle finishes with a one touch take.
Updated
90 + 1 min: Fleury has a great run and she takes a shot, she maybe should have passed to her teammate there. There will be five minutes added as Chelsea win a corner.
90 min: Charles loses the ball and Paris are on the attack, Mateo hits the deck and wants a free kick but the referee doesn’t give it.
88 min: Kaneryd makes a great run and she finds Kirby in the box but her pass doesn’t connect with Fishel. Chelsea come again but Kaneryd’s pass is out.
86 min: Mateo and Thiney connect again in the box, they are impressive for the visitors, they get it to Bussy who crosses but Berger plucks it out of the air. Berger seems to have hurt her back slightly when she took that but she is staying on.
84 min: Paris make more changes with Sissoko – who has had a good game – and Dufour come off for Hocine and Bussy. An incredible challenge by Buchanan, well timed to not give away a penalty, and it thwarts Paris’ latest chance. Chelsea make a change with Buchanan off for Mjelde.
82 min: In the save Berger pushed it over the bar so there is a corner. It’s not a great delivery and Chelsea can initially clear but Paris work is back in – Berger comes out and confidently collects.
80 min: I’m surprised Paris didn’t get a free kick there as Lawrence seemed to have pulled a shirt, but instead Chelsea get the ball in the box but Sissoko clears. Here come Paris, a lovely ball finds Thiney who has a great shot but Berger makes another good save. If it wasn’t for the keeper’s great work the scoreline would be 3-3 by now.
78 min: Chelsea aren’t letting up here as they hunt for their fourth but the Paris defence from the first half seems to be restored with the Blues finding it difficult to create a chance.
76 min: What a great ball but Thiney is unable to pick it up and Charles clears. Chelsea make another change with Kerr the hat-trick hero and James off for Fishel and Perisset.
74 min: Paris players aren’t happy as the referee pulls the ball back, they were on the attack but the ball did hit the ref in the build-up.
72 min: While Cuthbert receives some treatment Paris make a change and Bogaert is off for Abdullina, the player on loan from Chelsea. Cuthbert is back to her feet and she is okay to continue, she has quite the bruise already!
Updated
70 min: Whoever you support it is lovely to see Kerr-by back together, the pair didn’t play frequently together last season because of Kirby’s injury. Will they play together next season? Kerr’s contract is up this summer and with Hayes’ departure will she remain? Chelsea fans will hope she does! Back to the match and Cuthbert is on the deck after taking a hit to the face.
68 min: Soyer has a good run down the right but as they cut infield Kaneryd intercepts it! She makes a great line, passes to Kirby who puts in a lovely pass to Kerr who is a whisker away from adding a fourth.
66 min: Possession is exchanging hands quite quickly at the moment with less flow to the game, Paris are still knocking at the door – they need to be the next to score if they want to take anything from this match.
64 min: Chelsea work the ball to Cuthbert who has a whack at goal, we know she can score from there, but it’s just over the bar. The hosts have all the momentum now and Paris need to get their midfield control back to get a handle on the game. They do manage to get the ball to Fleury in the box but her shot is over the bar with her first touch.
62 min: Paris make a double change with Korosec and Bourdieu are off for Mouel and Fleury. The crowd come alive as Kerr gets the ball on the edge of the box.
60 min: Here is Kerr’s third goal, it’s one you need to watch immediately:
SAM KERR HATTRICK!!!
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) November 23, 2023
🏴 🎙️ 👉 https://t.co/jWZ0fW8CGB
🇫🇷 🎙️ 👉 https://t.co/SzA1yH7CPE
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60 min: A lovely ball floated into the box for Paris but Mateo is offside. Chelsea make another change as Nusken comes off for Ingle.
58 min: I cannot believe Kerr scored that, I am actually stunned – it was reminiscent of the one she scored against Manchester United on the final day of the season in 2022. That was also Kerr’s third of the night – hat-trick hero! Chelsea on the hunt for a fourth now but it’s out for a corner.
56 min: Berger whacks the ball upfield and Kerr takes it, takes a punt and it lobs Nnadozie. I am speechless, WOW!
GOAL! Chelsea 3-1 Paris FC (Kerr, 55')
KERR WITH THE LOB!!
Updated
54 min: Some precarious passing out of the back from Chelsea and Carter hits it out quite high up – the Blues a but sloppy at the back this evening. The ball comes in but Berger collects.
52 min: Chelsea are hunting for a third and boos come as fans think Korosec controlled with her arm in the box but no penalty is given.
51 min: Paris don’t look deflated after conceding again and the commentators make a good point that against Arsenal in the qualifying stage they seem to liven up when they concede!
49 min: A great team goal there, from Lawrence to James to Kirby to Kaneryd to Kerr and it’s in. On the replay Kerr looks offside but no VAR so the goal stands.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Paris FC (Kerr, 48')
There’s the captain again!
Updated
47 min: WHAT A SAVE! Bourdieu makes an incredible run and she keeps going, Berger comes out and makes a great save.
Back underway! Chelsea 1-1 Paris FC
So can Paris cause another upset? Or will Chelsea find a winner? All to come. Chelsea have made a change with Kirby on for Fleming.
Hakan has got in touch and said: “The pressure is on Chealsea as Häcken beat Real and tops the group with six points.” This is true, while there is a long way to go in the group stage the pressure is already on and Chelsea will feel it if they come away with another draw.
Here are the two goals from this game:
What an assist from Lauren James. Sam Kerr finishes the job. Chelsea 🆙
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) November 23, 2023
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🇧🇷 🎙️ 👉 https://t.co/gE1izq2GLv #UWCLonDAZN pic.twitter.com/AKSKKL1F36
Rainbow header by Théa Greboval to bring Paris level.
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) November 23, 2023
🏴 🎙️ 👉 https://t.co/jWZ0fW8CGB
🇫🇷 🎙️ 👉 https://t.co/SzA1yH7CPE
🇧🇷 🎙️ 👉 https://t.co/gE1izq2GLv #UWCLonDAZN pic.twitter.com/sbH1PdIcHp
In the other match, Roma are leading Ajax 2-0 after two goals from Valentina Giacinti.
Half-time! Chelsea 1-1 Paris FC
Chelsea captain Sam Kerr opened the scoring after an impressive start from Paris but the visitors levelled the game just eight minutes after conceding. A huge second half to come.
44 min: Chelsea try to come forward again but a pass has too much on it and Kaneryd can’t keep it in. The momentum has been sucked out of the game once more, Paris aren’t pressing as high as they previously were and Chelsea aren’t clinical.
42 min: If anyone watched the Chelsea Liverpool game last weekend, that goal was similar to the one Liverpool scored. Chelsea can be weak at the back, it seems a lack of communication opens them up.
40 min: Paris won a corner as a shot deflects off of Carter. Thiney takes it long this time and Greboval heads it home – it has been given to her rather than Carter.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Paris FC (Greboval, 38')
A huge moment and a great header!
Updated
38 min: Carter does really well to track back and beat Mateo to the ball as they looked to strike. Paris continue in their fight for an equaliser, Soyer hits the deck and stays down for a while but is soon back to her feet.
36 min: Cuthbert takes the corner and it’s a good delivery, it’s cleared twice but Chelsea remain in possession. Charles pops a cross in and Nnadozie collects, she almost spills but eventually she controls.
34 min: Kerr looked to be in once again after a great ball through but Paris defend well to muscle her off the ball. Chelsea are looking lively after their opener and Kaneryd should have scored! It was a beautiful run but Nnadozie does superbly to save! Chelsea corner to come.
32 min: Paris FC lost last week 2-1 to Hacken who only had two shots on target after dominating possession and the same thing is happening here. That was Chelsea’s second or third punt at goal after Paris looking the brighter.
31 min: The set piece is taken by Paris and picked up by Dufour but the offside flag is raised, Chelsea then counter – James puts in a beauty of a ball and Kerr finishes the move.
Updated
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Paris FC (Kerr, 31')
KERR!
30 min: Chelsea looked clear there but Paris recover well, the hosts are on the hunt still with Charles making a run but Paris manage to defend once again. Buchanan then gives away a free kick and the Chelsea defender gets a yellow card for the foul on Bourdieu.
28 min: A lovely turn from Cuthbert but her long pass has too much on it. It’s a strong performance from the visitors so far, Sissoko in particular at the back is having a great shift.
26 min: The game has slowed down with the midfield battle still being won by Paris.
24 min: Sissoko reads a play really well and beats James to the ball to close down an attack. here come Paris on the counter but a heavy touch is collected by Buchanan.
22 min: Chelsea are almost in there but Paris’ defence holds strong, the hosts are most definitely growing into this. A lovely ball came to James but her shot is really poor, it seemed to catch the wrong part of her boot as it goes well wide.
20 min: Paris are doing really well in the midfield to crowd Chelsea out, every time the hosts try and get in their free flowing attack they are crowded out. It’s like Chelsea are hearing my thoughts as Fleming cuts out the midfield with a huge long kick but Kerr is dispossessed.
18 min: Paris FC have another free kick, Chelsea need to limit the chances they are giving away at the moment. They take the set piece but Chelsea manage to clear but the visitors come again, Berger coming to the rescue once more.
16 min: Paris looked off to the races again but this time Mateo is offside, she is hungry to be in the action this evening!
14 min: Mateo thought she had a great line but the referee has pulled it back for a free kick for Paris, she looks fuming as she would have had a great chance to open the scoring. Paris take the free kick and they work it into the box and Bourdieu takes a shot but Berger saves.
12 min: Paris win a free kick from Cuthbert, they take it long and it’s a great delivery. Kerr clears but Paris are still in possession, they work it to the box again but Carter has a boot in there to clear. Mateo gets back in the box and Charles clips her, I think she could have appealed and won a penalty there but she keeps running – eventually Chelsea clear. Impressive play from the visitors.
10 min: James puts in a phenomenal ball to Fleming on the edge of the box, it was beautifully weighted. Fleming passes to Kaneryd who takes a punt but Nnadozie collects.
8 min: Momentum hasn’t found either team so far, both are being quite timid on the ball – a lot of play back to both keepers. Charles is fouled by Thiney and Chelsea take the free kick quickly but Paris manage to clear. The visitors manage to get into the box, Mateo claims for a penalty after contact from Buchanan but nothing is given.
6 min: Cuthbert makes a great tackle to halt a break from Paris, the counter is something Chelsea need to keep an eye on this evening.
Updated
4 min: Possession is exchanging hands in these early stages, both teams finding their feet. James is found and she connects well with Cuthbert, she passes to Charles who crosses but Nnadozie collects.
2 min: James, who scored a hat-trick against Liverpool last weekend, has won a free kick early on in Chelsea’s half. The Blues take it quickly but they are building from deep, Carter pops it upfield but it has too much on it.
Kick-off! Chelsea 0-0 Paris FC
So here we go! Can Chelsea keep their unbeaten run this season intact? Or can Paris FC continue their run of upsets in the competition? We will soon find out.
The players are out at Stamford Bridge and the encounter is about to begin. What a match this should be!
Have you been reading our women’s football newsletter, Moving the Goalposts? The latest edition sees Jess King speak about her experiences in the sport, have a read:
Here is what Chelsea have said about capping the amount of fans at the game this evening: “We do appreciate that midweek evening matches can be challenging for some fans to attend, and in order to maintain the club’s commitment to the sustainable growth of women’s football, Stamford Bridge will have a reduced seating capacity of 5,000 for Chelsea v Paris FC. This decision ensures the match is financially sustainable and allows us to open our stands in a way that creates the best atmosphere and experience for supporters. Depending on sales forecast for further group stage fixtures, this cap may be removed and will be communicated to ticketholders accordingly.”
Hacken have pulled off a comeback and beaten Real Madrid 2-1, while Bayern have closed out their 1-0 win over PSG in the earlier kick-offs.
I didn’t delve into snack chat yesterday so I thought I would bring it into today’s live, I have chosen a solid option with some biscuits. What is your snack of choice? Email me and let me know!
Blues boss Emma Hayes speaks highly of her players and one star who has had praise in the media this week is Niamh Charles, Hayes said: “I think she’s been in this place for quite some time - maybe February and March of last year. I don’t think she’s looked back since then. I always intend to get the best out of her strengths but she’s in a great place and her form is all coming together. She deserves a lot of credit for the work she’s done. It’s all been Niamh. She’s a top professional and she’s a role model for many to look up to with what you can do with hard work and application.”
Chelsea striker Sam Kerr – who announced her engagement to USWNT star Kristie Mewis this week – has said the team are not underestimating their opposition: “They are riding a wave at the moment - that can be dangerous. You saw with the results against Wolfsburg and Arsenal - to beat two really good teams over both legs - it shows they are an amazing team. You can’t take any team lightly in the Champions League.”
Here is a round-up of the WCL action that took place yesterday, including a comeback from defending champions Barcelona:
There are three other WCL matches happening today. Two have already kicked off with Bayern Munich leading PSG 1-0 and Hacken and Real Madrid drawing 1-1. The other match, Roma v Ajax, kicks off at 8pm GMT. I will keep you up to date with those scores as the evening unfolds.
Paris FC manager Sandrine Soubeyrand has named Alsu Abdullina in her matchday squad, the defender is currently on loan to the French club from Chelsea and starts from the bench.
The team news is in! Chelsea will not have captain Millie Bright as she does not make the matchday squad. Sam Kerr will have the skipper duties for the evening.
Chelsea: Berger, Nusken, Carter, James, Lawrence, Fleming, Kaneryd, Kerr, Charles, Cuthbert, Buchanan
Your Champions League Chelsea! 🔵#UWCL pic.twitter.com/ZBEQmn6uVE
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) November 23, 2023
Paris FC, meanwhile, have named a strong team including last week’s goalscorer Julie Dufour.
Paris FC: Nnadozie, Bogaert, Greboval, Sissoko, Soyer, Corboz, Korosec, Thiney, Dufour, Mateo, Bourdieu
👊 Le XI de départ parisien pour ce duel européen à Stamford Bridge !
— Paris FC Féminines (@PFC_feminines) November 23, 2023
🔵⚪ #CertifiéParis #UWCL #CFCWPFC pic.twitter.com/3U9griXFgC
Preamble
Hello and welcome back to the Women’s Champions League! Tonight we have a juicy fixture between Chelsea and Paris FC.
The French club have already knocked two previous winners out of the tournament. In the qualifying rounds they faced Arsenal and Wolfsburg, beating both to reach the group stage. However, they have shown they are beatable after falling to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Hacken in the first round.
Chelsea, meanwhile, recorded a draw in their first WCL group stage match against Real Madrid. The result was contentious as Real scored a controversial penalty and Chelsea had their final goal chalked off for offside, the WSL holders will be looking for their first European win of the season tonight.
The Blues will be doing so at Stanford Bridge, albeit in front of a limited crowd. Chelsea only put 5,000 tickets on sale – more on this story shortly.
Team news will be dropping soon so stay tuned for updates. The biggest story to watch out for is if Chelsea captain Millie Bright is involved, manager Emma Hayes had said she is in doubt for the game in the build-up. Kick-off coming at 8pm GMT.
