By Freddie Cardy
Chelsea Women stars Erin Cuthbert and Millie Bright, as well as manager Sonia Bompastor, have criticised Derby County’s pitch after Saturday’s League Cup final.
Yui Hasegawa’s own goal sealed Chelsea’s first silverware under Bompastor after strikes from Mayra Ramirez and Aoba Fujino.
However, the condition of the playing surface at Pride Park caused problems for both teams. Derby County had played twice in the week leading up to the final, with the pitch proving to be dry and bobbly, and worsening as the game went on.
Experienced midfielder Cuthbert told the BBC: “I don’t think this surface was fit for a final, to be honest with you. We didn’t play at our best but we just hung in there.”
Manager Bompastor, who took over from Emma Hayes at the start of the season, said that the pitch conditions were “a shame” for a game of this importance.
“Especially when you expect in England to have the best pitches in the world,” said Bompastor. “I’m not sure if it was a men’s game, a men’s final game, it would be the same.
“So we just need to make sure we have the best facilities and the best grass to play the games.”
Derbyshire-born Bright labelled Pride Park “an amazing stadium,” but added “when you come to a final you do expect a lot more quality from the pitch.”
“It is disappointing, it’s a massive game, a massive cup final and as you can see from the state of the pitch I’m guessing it didn’t look too good on TV either. It disrupts the game a little bit as well.”
Derby County fans have also been critical of the club’s 10-year-old pitch on social media, whilst a recent fans forum revealed that the playing surface is “scheduled for a comprehensive overhaul during the off-season.”
Derby County have been approached for comment.
