Millie Bright scored the only goal of the game as Chelsea started their Champions League campaign with a win away at Paris Saint-Germain - but it was team-mate Erin Cuthbert who took the plaudits.
The hosts lacked any real attacking threat and barely gave the crowd in the Stade Jean-Bouin anything to cheer about with only one shot in total and none on target in the first 45 minutes. It wouldn't have been a surprise if Chelsea had scored more.
Scottish star Cuthbert was the leader of the Blues’ attack and it was her awareness that led to Bright’s goal as she recovered the ball after the Paris defence had blocked the preceding corner. With Emma Hayes still recuperating from her emergency hysterectomy; her trusted duo of Debbie Reddy and Paul Green remained in the dugout and the latter singled Cuthbert out for praise in his post-match press conference.
He said: "Erin put in a fantastic performance and showed what she’s all about. All the tackles and the way she carried the ball for us. She’s a fantastic young player and we’ve nurtured her well, which she showed tonight.”
As much as Chelsea managed to keep players such as Kadidiatou Diani and Ramona Bachmann quiet, the French side seemed to lack the impetus to cause any concern in the visiting defence. One shot on target from six in total is below the standard of a club who have won five domestic trophies and finished second behind Lyon in France's Division 1 Feminine last season.
It was a quiet night for Ann-Katrin Berger as she was barely tested, only being called into action once for Diani's weak effort in the box. The result sees the Londoners level on three points with Real Madrid with one fewer goal after the Spanish side won 2-0 at KS Vllaznia.
The Albanian side head to Kingsmeadow next Wednesday on Match Day 2 between their league games at Brighton and at home to Aston Villa. Chelsea's interim-manager admitted that the fixture list would affect team selection over the coming weeks with question marks over Fran Kirby and when she will return to the team.
The current Women’s Super League champions have scored nine goals in their last four games after their shock 2-1 defeat at newly-promoted Liverpool on the league’s opening day, but they have since regained their composure to rise to third in the table.
Green praised the competitive spirit of the WSL and how it benefits those like Chelsea and Arsenal as they compete in European competitions.
He explained: "It shows how far we’ve come that we’ve gone to a top two team in France and got the victory. Although we can’t forget, Lyon have injuries and PSG are still a very strong team.
"But it’s a really positive thing for the English league and shows how far we’ve come. 5 or 6 years ago the English teams wouldn't have been in this position.
"They’re high-intensity games so it does help us and arsenal going into Champions League games because our league is so strong." Along with leaders Manchester United and Arsenal, they have nine points, having played one game more.
