After providing two assists in our 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the Women’s FA Cup fourth round, Erin Cuthbert praised the Blues' ruthlessness ahead of a key week in our season.
The 27-year-old started yesterday's win alongside long-standing team-mates Mille Bridge, Guro Reiten and Sam Kerr for the first time in over two years – and the latter three of that quartet all got themselves on the scoresheet.
Our commanding victory sealed the Blues' place in the fifth round of the FA Cup and ensured we take confidence into a week that includes a League Cup semi-final against Manchester City and a Women's Super League clash against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
‘I’m proud of our resilience [against Crystal Palace], in terms of how we kept our foot on the gas after the first and second goals,’ reflected Cuthbert.
‘In times gone by, we might have dropped off a little bit and let teams back in the game. Everyone was so positive, and we were encouraging each other. We wanted each other to take chances and score goals.
‘Our depth is really important. We had a few different goalscorers and assist makers and we’re going to need everyone throughout the season. We’re coming into a busy period, so it’s now about everybody pulling in the right direction.
‘Every time you get minutes on the pitch, it’s about trying to get that starting spot. So, without a doubt, it’s important for competing on all fronts at the moment.
While the Eagles were eventually well beaten, the WSL 2 side put on a determined showing, and Cuthbert explained why Chelsea had to be at our best to avoid potential issues caused by their opponents.
‘I’m happy with how we moved the ball today, happy with the space we created and the goals we scored,’ she continued. ‘Our chances came from all different areas of the pitch. Crystal Palace made it really difficult to go through the middle, but we went around the sides and we were patient.
‘They had a few moments, especially in transition. We didn’t quite get our transition shape right and they’ve got fast players and a few technical players. But overall, it was good that we got some early goals because if you leave a game like that hanging in the balance, they can always hit you like that.’
While several of the Blues' experienced heads made their mark on Saturday, summer signing Alyssa Thompson also scored in the 5-0 victory.
And Cuthbert was quick to sing the praises of the 21-year-old, who has now scored six goals since her move to Angel City.
Asked to name Thompson’s biggest threat, the midfielder replied: ‘Speed. Everybody can see that! Wow, she is so fast. It’s the technical skill as well. In the 92nd minute, the way she turned the defender and almost scored a brilliant individual goal – we were all dying for her to score it! I love that she can do both parts of the game.
‘She can come to feet and take the ball in tight spaces and also take the ball in behind because of her pace. That unpredictability is really going to help us. She’s got great tenacity; she wants to win every ball.
'She’s a bit like me in the way that height is not in our favour, so we have to make the best of what we’ve got, and she certainly does that.’