Manchester City vs Chelsea LIVE: Women’s Champions League result and reaction as visitors dealt first defeat of season
Manchester City 2-0 Chelsea: Vivianne Miedema struck twice off the bench to secure a first-leg advantage
Manchester City ended Chelsea‘s unbeaten season as Vivianne Miedema struck twice off the bench in the first leg of the pair Women’s Champions League quarter-final.
This was second of four encounters between the two sides in a matter of 12 days, with the two legs falling either side of a WSL fixture and following quickly after Saturday’s League Cup final. It was a cagey affair at times with the visitors particularly struggling to find their attacking flow, allowing half-time substitute Miedema to secure a 2-0 first-leg advantage for Nick Cushing’s side. The Dutch striker first volleyed in off the underside of the bar before slotting past Hannah Hampton late on, leaving Manchester City in a strong position heading into the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
For Sonia Bompastor, this was a first defeat as Chelsea manager having gone 28 games unbeaten since arriving in west London. Her side looked a little leggy just days after securing League Cup triumph, and have plenty to do as they return home.
Re-live all of the action from the Joie Stadium in our live blog below:
Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea, 82 minutes
This scoreline would set up the second leg rather nicely, of course. Can Manchester City hold on to deal Chelsea their first defeat of the season?
OFF THE WOODWORK! Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea, 80 minutes
Rattles the crossbar! That’s as close as Chelsea have come, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd finding space on the right side of the box and thundering against the woodwork. Ayaka Yamashita hadn’t a hope - but Manchester City survive.
Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea, 79 minutes
Vivianne Miedema raises a hand of apology after taking the legs from underneath Sandy Baltimore.
Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea, 77 minutes
Chelsea haven’t been able to keep control of the contest tonight. They have had more of the ball, but Manchester City haven’t felt threatened quite regularly enough.
Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea, 74 minutes
Another change for Manchester City as Laura Blindkilde Brown, an England debutant in December, steps in for Jess Park.
Hamano’s first free kick is a shocker, shallow and short and hopping harmlessly out of play for a goal kick.
Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea, 71 minutes
That’s that for Ramirez’s evening, slightly surprisingly. Sonia Bompastor introduces Maika Hamano.
Offside! Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea, 68 minutes
The ball is in the back of the net...but Mayra Ramirez had strayed offside! Aggie Beever-Jones had delicately danced into space and produced a pretty side-rule pass - alas, her centre forward went too soon.
Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea, 68 minutes
Nick Cushing shouts some instructions at his players. Sonia Bompastor, along the touchline in the other technical area, looks calm for now - though her side will need an equaliser to extend their unbeaten 28-game start under the French manager.
Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea, 64 minutes
Another chance for the Dutchwoman! Millie Bright jockeys and jockeys and invites the shot, and Miedema obliges. Hannah Hampton is down well to save.
Laura Coombs replaces Mary Fowler.
Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea, 62 minutes
It was a bit of a surprise that Vivianne Miedema didn’t start this game with no Bunny Shaw - but Nick Cushing liked what she could provide off the bench, a strategy that has worked.
Chelsea won’t panic, particularly with a second leg at Stamford Bridge to come, but that is a goal that will swell the hosts’ confidence.
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