Chelsea joined Arsenal in overturning a two-goal first-leg deficit to reach the Women’s Champions League semi-finals by beating Manchester City via a 3-2 victory on aggregate.
Sonia Bompastor’s side took their 2-0 defeat in Manchester last week very personally. It was their only defeat of this campaign after all.
Chelsea knocked home three first goals in the space of 15 first-half minutes before half-time – in a dominant and shell-shocking display for City at Stamford Bridge.
The signs were there as Chelsea hit the post twice before getting their first. First, Nathalie Bjorn struck the woodwork, then Lucy Bronze curled one onto the post – but on that second occasion, Sandy Baltimore was there to rifle home into the far corner.
City tried to respond with Mary Fowler testing Hannah Hampton twice in rare chances – but the barrage on the City goal continued. Bjorn had an identical chance cleared off the line by Vivianne Miedema, but she would not be denied a third time.
The Swedish defender rose highest from a third corner in a row to nod past Khiera Keating unmarked. And for a stunned and outfought City, it only got even worse before half-time.
Mayra Ramirez celebrates putting Chelsea in front on aggregate
Gracie Prior – hassled and harried by the Chelsea press all night – was caught in possession and it allowed Johanna Rytting Kaneryd to square to Mayra Ramirez, who scuffed home.
It was classic Chelsea. The mentality monsters turned up once again. Miedema went close to a City leveller on aggregate as her shot flew inches past the far post. Even though Erin Cuthbert’s strike coming off the bar failed to make it a calmer finish for Chelsea, everyone knew which way the story was heading from the interval onwards.
Awaiting Bompastor’s Blues in the last four – who made a statement of their own by smashing Wolfsburg 10-2 on aggregate earlier on the night. “We have all the quality to go all the way. Barcelona have a lot of talent it will be a tough game,” said the Chelsea head coach after full-time.
But both Women’s Super League teams this week have shown the resilience required to break the Barcelona-Lyon dual domination in this tournament.
It took 21 years for a team to overturn a two-goal first-leg deficit in the Champions League quarter-finals. Arsenal and Chelsea managed it twice in two days.
Bompastor and Bright: We knew we could do it
Natalie Bjorn celebrates levelling the tie for Chelsea
Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor:
“What a special night in front of our fans. After the first leg I knew we could do it. It’s something to say, and then you have to turn words into action. I’m so proud of my players. They had a great performance and we deserved to go through.
“In football, when you are live, everything becomes possible. I told my players we’re having a great season and we didn’t have this scenario where we have to come back, but tonight we had to create memories and the girls did that. They believed it was possible and put it all out there.
“This one is a special one. This is why football is magic. I made my plan wrong because I said we had to score three goals in 90 minutes and we did it in 45. If we play that way we are a really, really good team.”
Chelsea defender Millie Bright to TNT Sport:
“We were never in doubt. We had full confidence. We could have had way more than three goals, unbelievable mentality and desire to perform. We’re a new team on a new journey in a new era, so bring it on.”
Cushing praises injury-hit Man City’s character
Manchester City interim head coach Nick Cushing:
“I’m disappointed we didn’t progress. But immensely proud of the group.
“Hugely positive in the commitment and desire, determination for a group who has had a lot of stress, training games against a top team over the last two weeks. To keep going, believing in the end, shows the character this group has.
“But it’s difficult for me to say where we’re at because we have a lot of players missing. That’s not an excuse, but the determination is there.
“We have given Chelsea problems over the four games. The last 20 minutes of the league tie was the most one-sided part of the four games. With so much stress on the group, to still be in it shows the character this group has.
Analysis: Chelsea desperate to be England – and Europe’s best
Sky Sports News’ Anton Toloui at Stamford Bridge:
If you come for the queen, you’d better not miss. That adapted quote from The Wire sums up the four-game series between Chelsea and Man City.
City had the temerity to punch Chelsea in the gut in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. Chelsea came out swinging in the second leaving their opponents on the canvas by half-time. Add to that, Chelsea also beat their rivals in the League Cup final and WSL too.
Speaking to the Chelsea players, they never want any doubt about who the best team in the country is. It bothers them they’ve never been able to become the best team on the continent too.
Both Erin Cuthbert and Millie Bright admitted to us after the final whistle the team now has its next mission in its sights – revenge against Barcelona in the semi-finals.
As for Man City, coming up short against the almost perennial English champions, especially after a period of turmoil, is hardly a source of shame. The Nick Cushing era will be judged by one thing, getting his beloved club back into the top three of the WSL so they can be competing for the Champions League next season.
Man City’s Khiara Keating was left dejected at full time
City will also take comfort from the fact they’re missing six key players, including Bunny Shaw, Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood. A huge domestic run-in awaits, with a league and cup double against Manchester United potentially defining their season.
Oh… Chelsea and Man City have one more opportunity to go head to head again this season. Anyone fancy a sixth part to this rivalry in the FA Cup final at Wembley in May?
