Manager Emma Hayes reserved special praise for star winger Guro Reiten after Chelsea thrashed Leicester 8-0 in the Women's Super League.
Norwegian international Reiten was in devastating form at the King Power Stadium, involved in five goals, giving her side the lead after just four minutes with a composed finish from just inside the box. It was yet another dominant display from the Blues who sit top of the WSL after eight wins on the trot.
And Reiten, who has made an impressive start to the season was at the heart of the attacking display. The 28-year-old was nominated for November's Player of the Month and on this evidence it is hard to see how she won't be in the conversation for December as well.
Hayes, who marked her 300th game in charge of the defending champions with a big victory, was full of praise for the in-form Reiten. The Chelsea boss even admitted she didn't realise they amount of goals Reiten was involved in.
"I didn’t know it was five (goal involvements)," Hayes told the club website. "But wow, Guro (Reiten) is in an unbelievable place. We’ve always known about her quality. But what I think is happening with Guro is that consistency with every game. She is finding higher levels in everything she’s doing, she’s been outstanding this season."
Reiten joined Chelsea for £12,000 from Norwegian side LSK Kvinner back in 2019. But in recent months the 28-year-old looks to have taken her game onto new level, also scoring in a 3-0 win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.
Image:
Manjit Narotra/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)Chelsea haven't had the easiest start to the season, losing to newly-promoted Liverpool on the opening weekend of the season and also losing manager Emma Hayes from the touchline for over a month after she underwent emergency surgery.
But the Blues have been flying in recent weeks, on the continental stage as well as in domestic action, and top Group A in the UEFA Women's Champions League. Next up they face Real Madrid in the Spanish capital after beating them 2-0 at Kingsmeadow two weeks ago.
However, Chelsea will have little to fear on their current run, having swept aside everyone they have faced in the WSL and Europe since their defeat at Liverpool back in September. And Hayes believes the superb display against Leicester has set the tone for a crucial game in midweek.
"It (the Leicester win) breeds confidence in the group," she added. "The entire squad have really worked hard to get us to this position. I feel more and more confident everyday that everyone can deliver what we’re looking for. It gives us confidence going into a big game."
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