UEFA Women’s Champions League: Chelsea faces first season defeat to Man City 2-0
Manchester City Women secured a strong 2-0 win over Chelsea Women in the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) quarterfinals at the Joie Stadium. This victory ended Chelsea’s 28-match unbeaten run in the season.
The match began with both teams aiming for goals, but neither could net during the first half. In the second half, City turned the match in their favour, thanks to Vivianne Miedema. She scored both goals, with a rebound in the 60th minute and another in the 89th minute through Kerolin Nicoli’s pass.
Chelsea did have a chance to reduce the deficit, with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd hitting the bar, but they struggled to break through City’s solid defence.
Man City on changes, Chelsea’s struggles
City’s win was seemingly more impressive given their recent managerial change. The squad dismissed their five-year head coach, Gareth Taylor, which led to questions about City’s remaining fixtures. Former manager, now interim boss, Nick Cushing led the team’s success in this match.
Meanwhile, defender Lucy Bronze said Chelsea were ‘miles off’ their usual level, admitting they lacked energy which led to their defeat. Chelsea must now overturn this loss in the second leg of the quarterfinals on Thursday, March 27.
