Chelsea Women went top of our UEFA Women's Champions League group with a win over Hacken, but we were made to work hard for the three points on a cold night in Sweden.

Sam Kerr fired us into the lead from close range but the home side had levelled by half-time, making full use of their numerical advantage while Erin Cuthbert was receiving treatment off the pitch following a late challenge.

We pulled away in the second half, though, as two fine goals by Cuthbert ensured she had the last laugh and we had the win, despite a late consolation goal for Hacken being ruled out for a dubious offside call.

Although Emma Hayes felt we should have done better in the opening 45 minutes, she was pleased to see our improved showing after the break earn the Blues a deserved win in our last match before the winter break.

‘I felt the first half was a little laboured by us,' said Hayes. 'We were static in our movement, there were positional adjustments we made at half-time to correct some of that and encourage the players to be a bit more dynamic with their rotations.

‘I thought we did do that in the second half. I think we controlled the second half. It was not perfect and they created chances, but overall I think we were dominant and we deserved to win.’

There were also words on Cuthbert's impressive two-goal performance...

‘She was my player of the match, I thought she was outstanding. She was outstanding in the second half particularly.

‘She was the player I wanted a little bit higher in the play, so I encouraged that at half-time. She knew the areas we wanted her to get into, she got into those areas and she got two goals. We know she’s capable of that.’

Hayes also acknowledged the quality of opposition, sell-out home crowd and artificial pitch all made life difficult for her players on a cold night in Gothenberg...

‘They’re a very organised team. You could see that they are very comfortable playing at this ground. They scored a goal when we were down to 10 players and there was a 10-minute period in the first half when I felt we lost momentum and they were a threat in transition.

‘The goal was just a simple ball in behind, I thought we defended it really poorly, we were late. But they never stopped, they created chances and I thought the late goal was onside. That’s what happens when you switch off because you’re comfortable in the game.

‘It was a tough pitch to play on and a really good crowd, they make a great atmosphere. It was an enjoyable game with two good football teams and I’m delighted with the three points.’