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, 9 minutes
Another glimpse for Jill Roord. The rangy midfielder drives forward and sets her sights, releasing a powerful, low effort. A flick off the ankle of Millie Bright slows it, though, and Hannah Hampton gathers at the second attempt.
Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea, 7 minutes
It is a trifle peculiar seeing Keira Walsh in a Chelsea shirt up against her former club, and the midfielder hasn’t quite settled yet. Sandy Baltimore concedes a soft foul with Chelsea still short of fluency in these opening exchanges.
Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea, 5 minutes
Chelsea are just being a touch sloppy in their own final third. Again, they give the ball away in a dangerous area with Jill Roord once more pressing well, but the Dutch midfielder is offside as Mary Fowler attempts to thread her through.
Fowler has started centrally with Jess Park in behind, Kerolin out on the right and youngster Lily Murphy the left, it appears.
Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea, 3 minutes
Lauren James is forced wide to retrieve an overhit cross, but the winger nimbly beats her defender and stands up another delivery. It’s too close to Ayaka Yamashita, who claims at head height.
Manchester City 0-0 Chelsea, 1 minute
A good challenge from Jill Rood halts a Chelsea passing move, and forward come Manchester City for a first foray. Kerolin’s 20-yard drive is crisp and clean but wide enough to the post to be watched warily by Hannah Hampton in goal.
KICK OFF!
Manchester City get proceedings underway.
Manchester City vs Chelsea
Out the players come on to a pitch that looks rather better than the one utilised in Madrid last night.
Manchester City vs Chelsea
It’s good to see Keira Walsh back in the Chelsea side after a frustrating injury recently, the Lionesses midfielder back among old friends having spent nine seasons at Manchester City. Can the hosts get a handle on her tonight?
Kerolin pinpoints where Manchester City need to improve
Brazilian forward Kerolin will make her Women’s Champions League debut tonight after joining Manchester City from the North Carolina Courage in January. The 25-year-old took the positives from the League Cup final defeat but feels her side must make more of their chances tonight.
"It is hard because when we look back to the game, we played really well. We need to keep doing what we’re doing and, when we get to the final third, we need to make better decisions. That’s how we’re going to win the game, scoring goals.
“I’m really happy and excited; it’s kind of like a dream. But I need to be really focused on how to help the team. Now is the time to make history. We’re ready for that and will try to do our best."
Tonight's other fixture
It would appear that the defending champions are bound for the quarter-finals: Barcelona have been dominant against Wolfsburg in the early action of this Women’s Champions League double helping, and look to be taking a strong first-leg advantage back to Catalonia. A reminder that the winner there will face the side that emerges from tonight’s tie.
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