Beever-Jones shines bright as Chelsea cruise into UWCL semis
Aggie Beever-Jones impresses Lionesses with her performance, while Mayra Ramirez leads Blues into the Champions League semi-finals with a commanding victory.
Emma Hayes' team remains in contention for a quadruple, although they are expected to encounter a formidable challenge against European champions Barcelona in the semi-finals.
Chelsea are now just two matches away from securing a spot in their second UEFA Women's Champions League final after defeating Ajax 4-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals. A semi-final clash against reigning champions Barcelona appears to be on the horizon. Despite their comfortable lead following a 3-0 victory in the first leg in Amsterdam, Chelsea faced some challenges during the second leg at Stamford Bridge, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
As Emma Hayes had anticipated, Ajax played with freedom, showing little pressure given their deficit. They came close to scoring early on, with Sherida Spitse's header narrowly missing the target and Romee Leuchter firing just wide. Chelsea also had their share of opportunities, with Erin Cuthbert, Aggie Beever-Jones, and Guro Reiten threatening Ajax's defense.
Eventually, Mayra Ramirez managed to break the deadlock with a composed finish, putting Chelsea ahead. Despite Ajax's spirited performance, they equalized through Chasity Grant, though Chelsea's goalkeeper Zecira Musovic could have done better to prevent the goal.
Chelsea breezed through to the next round after a commanding performance in the first leg, setting up an enticing semi-final showdown with Barcelona for the second consecutive season. Barcelona, the reigning champions, hold a 2-1 lead against Norwegian side Brann going into the second leg in Catalonia. Although Chelsea will need to significantly improve their performance to advance to the Champions League final, their aspirations of securing the one trophy that has eluded manager Emma Hayes thus far remain very much alive.
Players Rating
Goalkeeper & Defense:
Zecira Musovic (5/10):
Experienced some uncertain moments with the ball and should have done better to prevent Ajax's equalizer. However, redeemed herself with a couple of outstanding saves.
Eve Perisset (5/10):
Initially displayed solid defensive work in the first half but became less composed as the game progressed, being partially responsible for the conceded goal.
Jess Carter (5/10):
Was close to allowing Ajax to score due to a poor headed clearance in the first half and appeared uneasy in defense overall.
Kadeisha Buchanan (5/10):
Similarly had some nervous moments with the ball and struggled against Ajax's attacking players, particularly in the first half. Despite this, made crucial interventions to stabilize the defense at times.
Ashley Lawrence (6/10):
Effectively dealt with dangerous attacks and contributed to the team's offensive efforts as well, although lacked effectiveness in the final third.
Midfield
Sophie Ingle (7/10):
Maintained composure on the ball with a quietly effective performance, although her impact diminished in the latter stages of the match.
Erin Cuthbert (8/10):
Despite an errant pass that almost led to an Ajax opportunity in the first half, Cuthbert controlled the midfield, demonstrating authority in dictating play and disrupting the opposition's possession.
Fran Kirby (6/10):
Contributed to an energetic offensive effort without being the standout player, displaying diligent off-the-ball work.
Attack
Aggie Beever-Jones (8/10):
Displaying tremendous energy throughout the match, Beever-Jones showcased an outstanding performance. While she might rue a few missed opportunities, her overall contribution was exceptional. The clamor for her inclusion in the England squad is only going to intensify.
Mayra Ramirez (8/10):
As the primary focal point of the team's attack, Ramirez not only found the net skillfully but also played a pivotal role in creating numerous scoring opportunities for her teammates through her precise passing. Her close ball control was particularly impressive.
Guro Reiten (6/10):
Demonstrating some deft touches and astute passes to unlock the defense, Reiten had moments of brilliance. However, she squandered a golden opportunity in the first half by firing wide.
Subs & Manager
Catarina Macario (5/10):
Introduced as part of a triple substitution with approximately 25 minutes remaining, Macario showcased good ball retention skills and contributed to maintaining possession. However, despite a promising one-on-one opportunity, she couldn't find the back of the net.
Sjoeke Nusken (5/10):
Tasked with settling into the center-back position after coming off the bench, Nusken didn't commit any glaring errors herself. However, her presence didn't notably improve the stability of the defense.
Jelena Cankovic (5/10):
Struggled to make a significant impact after being brought on.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (6/10):
Injected fresh energy into the attacking line when she replaced the fatigued Beever-Jones for the final 15 minutes.
Emma Hayes (7/10):
Ahead of the second leg, Hayes emphasized the importance of avoiding complacency and fielded a lineup that reflected this mindset while also affording some players rest. Despite her tactical adjustments, there were defensive vulnerabilities that persisted, even with Nusken's introduction. Addressing these concerns will be crucial ahead of the upcoming Continental Cup final against Arsenal on Sunday.
