
Chelsea got here away with a vital victory over holders Lyon within the first leg of their Ladies’s Champions League quarter-final in France.
Guro Reiten’s sensible curling end put Chelsea 1-0 up within the first half after Scotland’s Erin Cuthbert received the ball and skilfully teed her up.
Eight-time champions Lyon managed many of the first half however had been punished for missed alternatives.
Chelsea’s Lauren James and Lyon’s Delphine Cascarino each hit the put up.
Having been knocked out by Lyon within the semi-finals in 2019, Chelsea arrived in France nicely conscious of the tough activity dealing with them of their pursuit of a final 4 spot.
Lyon, who’ve progressed from 12 of their 13 quarter-finals, imposed their dominance early on, creating a number of possibilities for striker Eugenie Le Sommer which she couldn’t convert.
Chelsea then demonstrated their ruthlessness in entrance of aim as Reiten’s curling shot – their first on the right track – nestled within the far nook, earlier than James rattled the put up shortly afterwards.
The sport opened up within the second half as Lyon pushed for an equaliser and Cascarino virtually supplied it when she struck the woodwork however Chelsea nonetheless posed a risk on the counter-attack.
Emma Hayes’ aspect have the benefit within the second leg at Stamford Bridge subsequent Thursday however there might be concern for key England centre-back Millie Vivid, who went off injured earlier than half-time and may have a scan on Thursday morning.
Moments of high quality resolve tight encounter

It was solely the fourth time this season the European champions had failed to search out the again of the web and Chelsea might be inspired by their stable defensive show within the second half.
They restricted possibilities and pissed off Lyon, having picked them off in opposition to the run of play within the first half to take a slender lead again to London.
“It’ll give the staff a whole lot of confidence. We appeared nervous within the first quarter-hour. I might see a scarcity of motion however as soon as we settled, we grew into the sport and bought extra confidence,” mentioned Hayes.
“The consequence and holding a clear sheet will give the staff [confidence]. We have now huge respect for Lyon. To win 1-0, I am glad, however we all know it is solely half-time so there’s issues to enhance on.”
England worldwide James confirmed her high quality when she powerfully struck the put up and arrange Sam Kerr for a wonderful likelihood in a while – the Australian was flagged offside when she fired over the bar however replays confirmed she was onside.
Nevertheless, it was Cuthbert’s endeavour to win the ball again which led to Chelsea’s essential winner and she or he nutmegged Damaris Egurrola earlier than laying it off completely for Reiten.
The sport was determined by a number of moments of high quality, which Lyon usually produce of their favour, and Chelsea nonetheless have a job on their palms to progress – however this can be a big consequence of their European historical past.
“I do not wish to underestimate how arduous it’s to come back right here in a quarter-final. It is intimidating and I feel we managed that actually nicely,” added Hayes.
“Strain conditions are moments that reveal your character, your knowledge, information and expertise. I felt the staff delivered these traits beneath stress.
“Should you construct consistency in your habits then on daily basis is a Champions League day. We have now turn into accustomed to the competitors and we performed with a smart head tonight.”
Lyon, who suffered a shocking 5-1 defeat against Arsenal in October, may very well be boosted by the return of star striker Ada Hegerberg for the second leg as she was an unused substitute in France following her return from a prolonged damage.
Line-ups
Lyon Féminines
Formation 4-3-1-2
- 1Endler
- 12Carpenter
- 21Gilles
- 3Renard
- 5MorroniSubstituted forBachaat 55′minutes
- 26Horan
- 11Egurrola
- 8DäbritzSubstituted forMajriat 69′minutes
- 10MarozsánSubstituted forvan de Donkat 55′minutes
- 20CascarinoSubstituted forMalardat 69′minutes
- 9Le SommerSubstituted forBechoat 45′minutes
Substitutes
- 4Bacha
- 7Majri
- 14Hegerberg
- 17van de Donk
- 18Sombath
- 23Cayman
- 24Bruun
- 25Benyahia
- 27Becho
- 28Malard
- 50Belhadj
Chelsea Ladies
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 30Berger
- 15PérissetSubstituted forMjeldeat 85′minutes
- 26Buchanan
- 4VividSubstituted forErikssonat 44′minutes
- 7Carter
- 8Leupolz
- 5IngleBooked at 54mins
- 10JamesSubstituted forRytting Kanerydat 85′minutes
- 22CuthbertBooked at 57minsSubstituted forCharlesat 71′minutes
- 11Reiten
- 20Kerr
Substitutes
- 1Musovic
- 16Eriksson
- 17Fleming
- 18Mjelde
- 19Rytting Kaneryd
- 21Charles
- 27Abdullina
- 28Cankovic
- 32Orman
Reside Textual content
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Match ends, Lyon Féminines 0, Chelsea Ladies 1.
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Second Half ends, Lyon Féminines 0, Chelsea Ladies 1.
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Try missed. Wendie Renard (Lyon Féminines) header from the centre of the field is shut, however misses to the correct. Assisted by Selma Bacha with a cross following a nook.
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Nook, Lyon Féminines. Conceded by Maren Mjelde.
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Offside, Chelsea Ladies. Sam Kerr tries a by way of ball, however Guro Reiten is caught offside.
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Try saved. Guro Reiten (Chelsea Ladies) left footed shot from greater than 40 yards on the left wing is saved within the high left nook.
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Try saved. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Chelsea Ladies) proper footed shot from the correct aspect of the field is saved within the high centre of the aim. Assisted by Guro Reiten.
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Offside, Lyon Féminines. Selma Bacha tries a by way of ball, however Vicki Becho is caught offside.
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Substitution, Chelsea Ladies. Maren Mjelde replaces Ève Périsset.
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Substitution, Chelsea Ladies. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd replaces Lauren James.
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Nook, Lyon Féminines. Conceded by Magdalena Eriksson.
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Try missed. Amel Majri (Lyon Féminines) left footed shot from a tough angle on the left misses to the left. Assisted by Selma Bacha with a cross following a nook.
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Nook, Lyon Féminines. Conceded by Ève Périsset.
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Try blocked. Daniëlle van de Donk (Lyon Féminines) proper footed shot from the centre of the field is blocked. Assisted by Amel Majri.
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Offside, Lyon Féminines. Damaris Egurrola tries a by way of ball, however Melvine Malard is caught offside.
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Lauren James (Chelsea Ladies) wins a free kick within the defensive half.
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Foul by Selma Bacha (Lyon Féminines).
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Melanie Leupolz (Chelsea Ladies) wins a free kick within the defensive half.
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Foul by Vicki Becho (Lyon Féminines).
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Try missed. Sam Kerr (Chelsea Ladies) left footed shot from the left aspect of the field is shut, however misses to the left. Assisted by Lauren James with a by way of ball.