Chelsea Women player ratings vs Paris FC: Sam Kerr always delivers! Lionesses star Fran Kirby sparks second-half recovery as Australian bags hat trick and Lauren James registers sumptuous assist in Champions League win

The Blues talisman added another three goals to her collection against this season's WUCL's surprise package on Thursday evening

Paris FC travelled to Stamford Bridge with two Women's Champions League scalps to their name: Arsenal and Wolfsburg. Chelsea might have been added to that list had a few things gone only slightly differently on Thursday night. However, the Blues have one thing Paris' previous victims lack... the inevitable Sam Kerr.

The visitors were successfully frustrating Chelsea in the opening exchanges, and when Lauren James blazed a gilt-edged chance high and wide, they might have got the feeling that it was going to be their night. But a few moments later, James redeemed herself, providing an inch-perfect cross for Kerr to open the scoring.

Paris would get their deserved equaliser just before the break when Thea Greboval looped a header home from a corner, but the introduction of the magnificent Fran Kirby took the game away from the French side.

A few minutes after coming on, the Lionesses icon was heavily involved in creating Kerr's second, when she threaded Johanna Rytting Kaneryrd through. And the Australian would then complete a 55-minute hat-trick when she lobbed Nigeria's World Cup hero Chiamaka Nnadozie following an Ann-Katrin Berger long ball.

Kirby should have finished with another assist, and Kerr another goal, only for Chelsea's stand-in captain to spurn a great opportunity. Paris kept plugging away and force Berger into a few good saves, but the Blues made sure of their maiden Champions League win of the season when Sophie Ingle neatly finished Eve Perisset's corner.

GOAL rates Emma Hayes' players from Stamford Bridge...

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Goalkeeper & Defence
Ann-Katrin Berger (7/10):
Could have been more assertive to prevent Paris' equaliser. Made a big save just after the restart before setting up Kerr's third with a long ball.
Ashley Lawrence (7/10):
Not too much to report going forward, but was Chelsea's best player defensively on the night.
Kadeisha Buchanan (5/10):
Only a second start of the season and there was some rustiness present. Never inspired complete confidence.
Jess Carter (6/10):
Stepped up to marshall the defence in the absence of the injured Millie Bright. Not a perfect display, though, as she made a few errors.
Niamh Charles (6/10):
Not quite as dominant as she has been recently, but still caused the opposition problems.

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Midfield
Jessie Fleming (5/10):
Did not set the world alight in the first half before being taken off.
Erin Cuthbert (6/10):
Battled hard to find space in a congested midfield area and showcased her normal industry and bite off the ball.
Sjoeke Nusken (6/10):
Broke things up effectively and carried it well at times. Subbed for Ingle on the hour as Chelsea looked to shore things up.
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Attack
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (7/10):
Looked dangerous whenever she got a chance to run at the defence. Deserved her assist.
Sam Kerr (9/10):
What more is they to say? The woman scores goals. Aggie Beever-Jones and Mia Fischel may be knocking on the door, but they're still some way from stealing a starting spot from Kerr.
Lauren James (7/10):
Missed an absolute sitter in the first half before providing one of the assists of the season. There was very audible excitement every time she touched the ball.

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Subs & Manager
Fran Kirby (8/10):
Registered a pre-assist seconds after coming on. Chelsea were so much better as soon as she entered the field.
Sophie Ingle (7/10):
The all-time WSL appearance holder added midfield security before capping off the win with a swept finish.
Eve Perisset (7/10):
Created the fourth with a nice corner.
Mia Fishel (6/10):
Worked hard but didn't get any chances.
Maren Mjelde (N/A):
Only a cameo, but she got a nice reception.
Emma Hayes (6/10):
Chelsea forced it in the first half and likely would've benefitted from the composure and guile of Kirby or Ingle from the start. To Hayes' credit, she acted swiftly to bring on the former at half time and was rewarded.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Midfield

Attack

Subs & Manager