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 0-0 Chelsea, 26 minutes
Poor from Mary Fowler! It’s excellent pressing initially from Manchester City, drawing Millie Bright into an error, and there are four sky blue shirts pouring forward as Fowler picks up possession. Her forward ball is overhit for Kerstin Casparij, who chases it out of play.
Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea, 25 minutes
Diligent defensive work from Lauren James, who retreats to help out Sandy Baltimore as Kerolin looks to capitalise.
Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea, 23 minutes
Beever-Jones is getting going, though. She shimmies past Lily Murphy and then past two more, eventually earning a corner.
Sandy Baltimore hits a Chelsea head, but a looping effort is comfortable for Yamashita.
Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea, 21 minutes
Aggie Beever-Jones does collect a forward pass, but the 21-year-old curls into the arms of Ayaka Yamashita, and had been offside, anyway.
Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea, 19 minutes
Good defending from Gracie Prior, shuttling across to prevent Mayra Ramirez from bringing a diagonal under her control.
Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea, 15 minutes
Chelsea are beginning to find their feet in this contest after a strong Manchester City start.
Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea, 13 minutes
Back-to-back corners. Sandy Baltimore swings the second straight into the firm grasp of Ayaka Yamashita.
Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea, 12 minutes
Better from the visitors. Aggie Beever-Jones shows good pace and footwork to dribble beyond a couple of would-be tacklers, and Lauren James draws a corner.
Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea, 11 minutes
Fowler takes with her right foot, this time, playing it short to Jess Park. Not the best routine - Park’s attempt to work a crossing angle succeeds only in taking her into a thicket of bodies, and Chelsea clear their lines.
Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea, 10 minutes
Bright then concedes a free kick 30 yards from goal. Mary Fowler faints to take with her right foot and then switches to her left, and a whipped delivery earns a corner.
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