Chelsea 3 Manchester City 0 (Chelsea win 3-2 on aggregate)
For all Sonia Bompastor’s early success as Chelsea manager, elimination from the Champions League, the very competition she was brought into win, at the quarter-final stage would have been a failure.
Chelsea are eight points clear in the Women’s Super League, have already won the League Cup and have an FA Cup semi-final to look forward to next month. But it is no secret that it is European glory that they seek this season.
There had been some complacency in their first-leg defeat by Manchester City and Bompastor, who had previously been unbeaten as Chelsea manager, had made her anger felt. Whatever the French equivalent of “hairdryer treatment” is, that is what Chelsea players received.
One week on, her players showed the right response as three first-half goals turned this tie around in emphatic fashion.
“I said after the first leg we were alive and I knew it was possible, even if I knew the challenge would be tough,” Bompastor said.
“I think it’s important for us to bounce back and to have the opportunity to lose games and see how we can react as a team. We put a lot of energy as staff and myself as a manager from the first leg to make sure the plan was the right one. It’s good also to learn from your players because that was the first loss. You learn how your squad reacts to that.”
For a third year running, Chelsea will face reigning champions Barcelona in the semi-finals.
It was Barcelona who hammered Chelsea 4-0 in their first ever final in 2021 and, while they ran them close in the last two seasons, they are an opponent they have come up short against time after time.
But this victory against City showed that if there is ever a year Chelsea are going to find the formula to beat the Catalans, this is it.
Though it will be far from easy, as Barcelona’s 10-2 aggregate victory over Wolfsburg indicates, they showed signs of vulnerability in their recent defeat by Real Madrid.
“We’ll do everything possible to make that [beating Barcelona] happen,” Bompastor said. “Barcelona has a lot of experience, a lot of talent in the squad. In football everything is possible. I will bring all the confidence to go into those two games.”
City’s first leg victory over Chelsea had come as a surprise given their mounting injury crisis and the fact Chelsea had been unbeaten in all competitions under Bompastor before that fixture. City arrived at Stamford Bridge with an even smaller squad than the one they had last week, with interim boss Nick Cushing only able to name four outfield substitutes.
“When you come into a Champions League quarter-final, you want to put your best players on the pitch,” Cushing said. “We’ve shown that the togetherness and the fight is there. We’ve caused Chelsea real problems in all four games but we’ve lost on moments.”
Chelsea needed a quick start if they were to turn the tie around and it did not take them long to capitalise on their constant pressure, with Sandy Baltimore sending an arrowed strike into the top right corner.
Nathalie Bjorn, who had seen one header saved and another cleared off the line, then levelled the tie with her third attempt in the 38th minute. Chelsea could smell blood and, two minutes before half-time, they had a third. Leila Ouahabi’s wayward pass was cut out by Lauren James, who teed up Mayra Ramirez to finish.
City goalkeeper Khiara Keating did well to keep her side in the tie with a string of impressive saves in the second half but Vivianne Miedema’s long-range effort, which flew just wide, was as close as they came to an equaliser.
10:48 PM GMT
And then there were two
That’s a wrap for this evening.
Congratulations to Chelsea on a truly magnificent comeback win.
As their head coach Sonia Bompastor says, if they can deliver more performances like that then there is no reason why they can’t win their first Champions League this year.
Commiserations to City, who could not compete with an injury-ravaged side.
And so there remain two WSL sides among the last four standing in the Champions League – and Chelsea and Arsenal could yet lock horns in the final.
Until the next one, thanks for following and goodnight.
10:37 PM GMT
Carney: ‘Chelsea are unstoppable’
Former Chelsea winger Karen Carney hails her former side’s impressive first-half display.
10:32 PM GMT
Bompastor: ‘This is why football is ‘magique’
Bompastor: “What a special night, in front of our fans, at Stamford Bridge. You know after the first-leg game I knew we could do it, but it’s something to say [it] and something to turn words into actions. I’m so proud of my players, they had a really great performance and we deserved to go through
What gave you the belief: “From my experience as a player and also as a manager. I football when you are alive anything is possible. I told my players: ‘We are having a really great season so far, we didn’t have this scenario before where we had to come back after two goals conceded so tonight ins a nice for us to create memories – and the girls just did that. They believed it was possible and they just put it all out there.”
Best win? “I had some good ones but I think, yeah, this is a special one for sure because being losing the game by two goals it’s never easy, we just believed it was possible and this is why football is ‘magique’ and we live these emotions – and this is why I really love football... sometimes.”
Gameplan work? “Yes, I think so. We started the game strong, we were able to score the three goals in 45 minutes. Actually, I made my plan wrong because I said we have 90 minutes to score three goals - we did that in the first half, and I think if we play that way we are a really, really good team.
Barcelona next. “We have all the quality to go all the way. It will be tough games against Barcelona. They have a lot of experience, talent in the squad, but I think tonight it’s more time to enjoy first and we’ll see later how we can focus on going to the semi-0finals against Barcelona
10:18 PM GMT
Bjorn: ‘The feeling was amazing’
Nathalie Bjorn on her goal: “We’ve been speaking [her and Millie Bright] and we were saying that one of us has to score soon. I had a good opportunity to score before and then I said, ‘Now, now it’s time’. The feeling was amazing. “
Bjorn on the mentality: “We felt like we had a good game last game and we gained a lot of confidence. We know Stamford Bridge is our home. To come here is not easy and we did a really good performance today.”
Bjorn on reaching the Champions League semi-finals: “Yeah, we’re... I really want to swear but I can’t [laughs] so I say we’re really, really happy [laughs again].”
10:17 PM GMT
Bright: “A true Chelsea performance’
Millie Bright on their belief: “We were never in doubt. We were in full confidence within ourselves and even in the first leg we had opportunities to win the game but we showed an unbelievable mentality and desire to come back. It was a true Chelsea performance.
Bright on Barcelona and bad history: “Yeah, but we’re a new team, we’re on a new journey and we’re in a new era so bring it on!”
10:06 PM GMT
Impressive first half
That was a very impressive victory by Chelsea, who blew City away in a ferocious first half of aggressive, front-footed football.
Their pressing was so intense City simply couldn’t live with them.
10:03 PM GMT
Chelsea simply too good
After four rounds and 360 minutes, Chelsea have emerged victorious. Across the plethora of matches, Chelsea scored seven goals and Manchester City four.
They won the first trophy of the year – the League Cup – at City’s expense, came from behind to win in the WSL and overturned a two-goal deficit to knock Nick Cushing’s side out of the Champions League.
Sonia Bompastor is a serial winner and she remains in the hunt for the quadruple in her first season at the club since taking over from Emma Hayes in the summer.
City were hampered by injuries but unfortunately were a distant second best. They must be sick of the sight of the west London side yet here is still a chance these sides could meet again for the final game of the domestic season in the Women’s FA Cup final.
09:55 PM GMT
FT: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
Bompastor continues to urge her players on as the seconds tick down.
And that’s it! Chelsea have held on for a brilliant comeback win!
It’s no less than they deserve.
They have been the better side, hit the woodwork on multiple occasions and have earned a third successive semi-final against Barcelona, who won their tie against Wolfsburg 10-2 on aggregate.
09:53 PM GMT
90+3 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
City are almost out of time and Chelsea are now taking the ball to the corners to eat up time.
09:52 PM GMT
89 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
Chelsea subs:
Keira Walsh OFF
Oriane Jean-François ON
City subs:
Naomi Layzell ON
Yui Hasegawa OFF
09:49 PM GMT
89 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
City come again and Kerolin uses her skill to fashion a shooting chance. The South American attempts a cheeky side-foot through the legs of Bright but it lacks the pace to trouble Hampton.
09:48 PM GMT
88 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
City have the chance to break through but Coombs slows down with a pass too far behind Fowler, and in a flash Chelsea are back to swallow up the ball and steer it clear of danger.
09:45 PM GMT
86 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
Oooohh!
Chelsea go close again and it’s the lively Kaneryd who tries her luck after Chelsea break again. She has been terrorising Ouahabi all match and after a blur of step-overs and leg chops she cuts inside before sending a shot from 16 yards a fraction over the bar.
09:42 PM GMT
84 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
City have been swamped tonight but so long as it remains 3-2 there is still a chance.
They will need to conjure something special very soon though as there are only six minutes to go.
All of a sudden Chelsea make a rare mistake in midfield and Coombs has tome to shoot. Her shot from distance is charged down, though, and the half-chance is gone.
09:40 PM GMT
80 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
Oooohhh!
That’s a wonderful effort from Cuthbert.
Chelsea’s No 8 dispossesses Coombs in the middle of the park and rushes forward to unleash a left-footed shot from 20 yards which beats Keating but clips the top of the bar.
09:37 PM GMT
75 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
Vivianne Miedema has just had a shot wide of the target, but chances for Man City are becoming scarce and they are rapidly running out of time.
Nick Cushing might have thought it was in and it was close, but there are just 15 minutes left for City to score their first goal of the night and threaten to take this tie into extra time.
Since March 15, the two sides have already played three and three-quarter matches.
09:36 PM GMT
75 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
Chelsea break again and Kaneryd’s cross is met by substitute Beever-Jones. Her shot catches a defender and Keating manages to close her legs to avoid the ignominy of being nutmegged.
09:33 PM GMT
73 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
Ooohhh!
That’s so close to an equaliser from Miedema.
The former Arsenal forward works some space just outside the area and lets fly with a low drive that fizzes an inch wide of the far post.
That was so unlucky!
09:31 PM GMT
70 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
Chelsea have reverted to a more cautious, controlling approach now, seemingly content to wait and pick off City when they come forward for the goal they need to avoid elimination.
City are trying some probing through balls but they have so far just been a touch overhit.
Subs:
Aggie Aggie Beever-Jones ON
Mayra Ramírez OFF
09:27 PM GMT
68 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
City send a free-kick into the area and a spot of head tennis and pinball ensues, but the vistors are lacking a cutting edge.
09:26 PM GMT
65 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
Subs:
Jess Park ON
Jill Roord OFF
City keep Kerolin on the pitch, which at least means she isn’t injured. Roord makes way instead. Let’s see whether Park can come to the rescue for the visitors.
09:22 PM GMT
63 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
The second half has not started with quite the same drive as the first. Chelsea already have the lead they so desperately wanted and so far have managed to comfortably stop City mounting attacks and try and find a place in this game.
Jess Park will come on in City’s second change to try and score the goal needed to take the game to extra time, but so far Chelsea look like they have this under control.
09:21 PM GMT
60 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
Let’s hope Kerolin is ok. Cushing only had five subs to start with and his options are limited when it comes to replacing the skilful South American.
Chelsea win possession again and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd sneds a rocket towards the top corner from the edge of the area but Keating produces a superb save to deny her.
09:18 PM GMT
58 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
While Kerolin continues to receive treatment off the pitch City take the free-kick.
It’s disappointing though, the ball is played to Fowler but too slowly so by the time she hits the shot she has been closed down by the onrushing Chelsea defenders.
09:15 PM GMT
56 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
After a rare lull in proceedings City have managed to venture forward. Kerolin advances towards the penalty box and is crunched by Baltimore, who is booked for the challenge. The Brazilian goes down and appears hurt. She has won her side a free-kick from just outside the area but is receiving treatment from the medics.
Looking at the challenge again it appeared to be a well-timesd challenge from Baltimore. Kerolin actually hurt herself kicking the turf.
09:10 PM GMT
52 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
The second half has continued in the same vein as the first with Chelsea completely dominant.
City need Coombs to get her foot on the ball and find Miedema to weave her creative magic.
09:08 PM GMT
49 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
VAR are checking for a penalty following a strong challenge from Coombs on Bronze.
But there will be no intervention. Play on.
09:07 PM GMT
46 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
Subs:
Laura Coombs ON
Lily Murphy OFF
City’s substitution appears to be designed to add more steel and better ball retention to the midfield at the expense of the pace of their flying winger Murphy.
08:56 PM GMT
HT: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
Chelsea only needed one half of this second leg to overturn their deficit from the match at Manchester City’s Joie Stadium, and then take a decisive lead.
They came out of the blocks firing and did not let up, even after goals from Sandy Baltimore and Nathalie Bjorn made it 2-2. But their domination was complete with Mayra Ramirez’s third just before the half time break.
City will have some things to address in the break, but in order to stop themselves crashing out of the Women’s Champions League, they will need to not only find a way to contain Chelsea, but find a threat of their own.
It has looked too easy so far from Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea, who already have one trophy this season, and are on course to win the WSL as well.
08:54 PM GMT
HT: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
Chelsea looked unstoppable in the first 15 minutes of the match, but City’s response to going a goal behind was strong.
There has been a clear change of tactics with the hosts pushing higher up the pitch and are trying to create chances of their own.
City needed to stay calm under pressure and try and find the balls to find space in the box, but that is easier said than done without injured key striker Bunny Shaw.
08:50 PM GMT
45+1 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
Fowler gets a rare glimpse of goal for City but her shot is well saved at her near post by Hampton.
But Chelsea are suddenly on the attack again and it should be four.
City cough up possession to Ramirez once again and the Brazilian cuts in from the right, dribbles past three defenders and looks certain to score. But she tries a reverse shot and Keating, who is on hand to keep her side in the match.
08:46 PM GMT
43 mins: Chelsea 3 Man City 0 (3-2)
GOAAALLL!
Ramirez scores!
A terrible square pass from City gifts possession to Cuthbert, who plays in James down the right, who crosses for Mayra Ramirez to finish with aplomb.
08:44 PM GMT
42 mins: Chelsea 2 Man City 0 (2-2)
Chelsea are pouring forward at will and it seems only a matter of time before they score a third.
James drives forward and tries her luck from range but her effort flies just wide.
08:40 PM GMT
38 mins: Chelsea 2 Man City 0 (2-2)
GOAAALLL!
And the tie is level on aggregate.
James sends over another pinpoint corner and Bjorn gets free of Leila Ouahabi to head the ball over Hampton and into the net.
It was coming.
08:38 PM GMT
33 mins: Chelsea 1 Man City 0 (1-2)
Ooohh!
How have Chelsea not scored? This time it’s the home side threatening from corners.
The first almost goes straight into the far corner but Hampton back-pedals desperately and manages to tip it wide.
The second is met by Bjorn and looks to be heading in. But Miedema sticks out a leg to stop it from crossing the line – and it’s another let-off for the visitors.
Chelsea have had 11 shots so far to City’s five.
08:34 PM GMT
31 mins: Chelsea 1 Man City 0 (1-2)
At the other end Fowler attempts a snapshot which loops over after a deflection.
The Australian takes the corner herself and it almost goes in but it is blocked by her own team-mate Kerolin.
08:32 PM GMT
29 mins: Chelsea 1 Man City 0 (1-2)
Penalty shout!!!
Erin Cuthbert dances her way into the area and goes down in the area after what looked like contact to this observer.
VAR is available for this game and the officials will check the incident.
There is no intervention, however, and City escape.
08:29 PM GMT
26 mins: Chelsea 1 Man City 0 (1-2)
City are now finding their way into the game with Kerolin and Miedema looking dangerous.
Kerolin weaves past three players but her cross is cut out by Millie Bright.
City have looked a threat from their last three corners, which have only narrowly eluded a cranberry shirt.
If Chelsea aren’t careful one of those set-pieces might catch them out.
08:23 PM GMT
21 mins: Chelsea 1 Man City 0 (1-2)
Miedema now managed to pick out Fowler, who turns and fires a shot at goal, forcing Hampton into a fine save around the post.
It’s end-to-end at the Bridge.
08:20 PM GMT
17 mins: Chelsea 1 Man City 0 (1-2)
Chelsea are so relentless at the moment that Vivianne Miedema is having to double up as an auxiliary centre-back. There she is again clearing the danger, but the hosts have the bit between their teeth and Keira Walsh manages to get off a shot in a crowded area. This time Keating makes the save.
08:17 PM GMT
14 mins: Chelsea 1 Man City 0 (1-2)
GOAAALL!!
It’s been a breathless opening spell and Chelsea have score the goal they richly deserve.
Lucy Bronze cuts inside from the right, plays a one-two and sends a curling shot against the post with the outside of her right foot. The rebound falls to Sandy Baltimore and the Frenchwoman dispatches a fierce drive past Keating to the delight of the home crowd.
Fantastic start from Chelsea.
08:13 PM GMT
9 mins: Chelsea 0 Man City 0 (0-2)
Chelsea are pushing hard to open the scoring as James has a shot blocked following a rampaging run down the right from Nathalie Bjorn. From the ensuing corner Bjorn risest highest to thump a header against the post with Khiara Keating beaten all ends up.
08:09 PM GMT
5 mins: Chelsea 0 Man City 0 (0-2)
Man City drive forward down the right and Kerstin Casparij is played in by Mary Fowler.
She elects to shoot first time but fires straight at Hannah Hampton from the edge of the area and the keeper makes a comfortable save.
08:06 PM GMT
3 mins: Chelsea 0 Man City 0 (0-2)
Ooooh! And Chelsea come agonisingly close to an early opener.
Lauren James breaks free down the left and looks set to shoot but instead opts to try and pick out a team-mate and her a low angled cross narrowly eludes the desperate dive of Erin Cuthbert.
08:01 PM GMT
1 min: Chelsea 0 Man City 0 (0-2)
The teams are out, the anthem has been sung and we are ready to roll.
Can Chelsea turn it around like Arsenal did against Real Madrid last night?
Let’s see.
It’s City to kick-off...
07:57 PM GMT
Stamford Bridge far from full
The Emirates might have managed to entice more than 22,000 people through its doors, but there will not be anything like that number at Stamford Bridge.
The upper tier of most stands are closed and the entire home end is also completely empty.
I would be surprised if there were more than 12,000 in tonight.
07:52 PM GMT
Cushing: ‘We’ve got to attack the game’
City interim head coach Nick Cushing appears to have answered our earlier question about whether or not the visitors will change their front-footed approach and protect their lead in his pre-match interview with TNT Sports.
On City’s game plan: “We expect them to put us under pressure early but we’ve got to attack the game. We created three chances in our last match against them and we need to do that again.
On the return of Hasegawa and Aleixandri: “It’s huge for us, we need our key players, unfortunately we’ve not had all the key players recently but it’s great news to have them back.
On the importance of the match: “It’s massive for both teams, you have one team who are priotitising the Champions League and another team who are 2-0 up. It should be a great game and we’re looking forward to it.”
07:37 PM GMT
Walsh relieved to be home
One player who would relish the chance of facing Barcelona is Keira Walsh, who departed the Spanish club for Chelsea not even two months ago.
Walsh achieved her aim of winning the Champions League – twice – but found life in Catalonia a bit of a struggle.
Kathryne Batte, who is reporting from Stamford Bridge tonight, caught up with the Chelsea midfielder in a revealing interview that detailed life in sunny Spain, the stress of on-off deadline-day transfers and the relief of returning to Blighty to sample home comforts – even if she feels she has already been exposed as a northern imposter for suggesting “Sainsbury’s is posh”...
07:24 PM GMT
City recover injured pair
Sonia Bompastor makes five changes, including Keira Walsh and Erin Cuthbert returning to the side for the match.
The crucial news for Manchester City is that Yui Hasegawa and Laia Aleixandri are both fit enough to start in the match, although Aoba Fujino’s injury represents a major blow for the visitors.
07:17 PM GMT
Barça await winners
The winners of this match will be facing whoever triumphs between Barcelona and Wolfsburg, a match that is already well under way.
Indeed it is effectively over as Barcelona lead 4-1 with 15 minutes to go, having won the first leg by the same scoreline.
Barça it is then.
07:12 PM GMT
Blue carpet rolled out
The blue carpet has been rolled out for the players to step on to as they get off the coaches, and there is a big job for the Chelsea players to do, going into the game with a two-goal deficit.
Arsenal managed to overcome the same goal difference last night, beating Real Madrid 3-0 in front of more than 22,000 people at the Emirates, but tonight the attention shifts to west London.
Chelsea have beaten City very recently, to win in both the Women’s Super League and the League Cup final, but they will have it all to do again tonight.
06:58 PM GMT
Five changes for Chelsea, three for City
Here are the teams:
Chelsea: Hampton, Bronze, Bright (C), Bjorn, Baltimore, Walsh, Cuthbert, Kaptein, James, Kaneryd, Ramirez.
Subs: Spencer, Cox, Lawrence, Charles, Hamano, Macario, Nusken, Brown, Beever-Jones, Jean-François.
Man City: Keating, Casparij, Prior, Aleixandri (C), Ouahabi, Hasegawa, Roord, Miedema, Kerolin, Murphy, Fowler
Subs: Startup, Layzell, Coombs, Wienroither, Park
For Chelsea Nathalie Bjorn and Sandy Baltimore return to the back line, Keira Walsh and Erin Cuthbert return to the midfield, following the latter’s last-gasp match-winning heroics at the weekend, and Mayra Ramirez is also back in the first XI.
The visitors bring in Leila Ouahabi, Lily Murphy and Mary Fowler with the Australian expected to play up front with Miedema dropping deeper to pull the strings.
06:53 PM GMT
Clean bill of health for Chelsea
Chelsea have a clean bill of health and so competition for a place in the starting XI will be high. Whoever does get the nod will be involved in a fascinating encounter between a Chelsea side whose game is the very definition of control and a City side who prefer to play with the handbrake off.
The two sides by now know each other inside out but will they be able to switch personalities to suit the task in hand? We’ll soon find out.
06:45 PM GMT
Hope for Hasegawa and Aleixandri
But don’t let’s get ahead of ourselves. Chelsea are the best team in the country - they are unbeaten in the league under Bompastor – and so Cushing’s focus must be trained firmly on the task in hand.
His cause has not been helped by injuries to Bunny Shaw and Aoba Fujino, who join a growing list of walking wounded including Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood and Rebecca Knaak, but he has at least included Yui Hasegawa and Laia Aleixandri in his travelling squad, despite both players coming off injured at the weekend.
“Having those players back is a testament to them and their commitment but also to the incredible work of the medical team,” said Cushing. “Yui left the ground on crutches and I’m not going to jump the gun and say she’ll be ready.”
05:34 PM GMT
Seconds out... round four
Stamford Bridge plays host to the final instalment of Chelsea vs Manchester City this evening as Nick Cushing’s side defend a two-goal first-leg lead in a bid to progress to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Chelsea have won two instalments so far of this curious sequence of four consecutive meetings across three competitions between these two great rivals. Sonia Bompastor’s side emerged 2-1 winners in both the League Cup final and their most recent WSL encounter but City came out on top in the second part of this tetralogy – the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final – thanks to two unanswered Vivianne Miedema goals.
Given the choice Chelsea would have probably swapped those results as the Champions League is the competition they most crave, having never won it. Indeed it is the chief reason Bompastor was recruited in the first place as the Frenchwoman is synonymous with the competition. Bompastor lifted the Champions League trophy twice as a player and once as coach of Olympique Lyonnais but her side have it all to do to turnaround this 2-0 deficit.
All of which means that victory for City tonight – or even a narrow defeat that sees them through – would make reaching the last four all the sweeter.
It would be the third semi-final appearance for the Manchester side – and interim coach Cushing, who was in charge on both previous occasions they fell short in 2016/17 and 2017/18. How dearly he would love to make it third time lucky, reach the final in Lisbon and mark his return by leading his side to European glory. If that doesn’t land him the permanent job I don’t know what will.