Chelsea were forced to come back from a goal down and claim a 2-1 victory over Celtic to maintain their perfect start to the Women’s Champions League.
Sonia Bompastor’s team had to work hard to achieve the victory, which allows them to maintain their perfect start to the season with a ninth consecutive victory in all competitions this season.
In Celtic’s first attack of the game, Murphy Agnew finished off a quick counterattack by the hosts and they took a surprising lead in the 22nd minute.
However, Chelsea, who are on a run of 12 consecutive victories in all competitions, were not left behind for long.
The WSL champions, who face a key WSL clash against leaders Man Metropolis, live sky sports on Saturday (kick-off at 5:30 p.m.) – came back with two goals in four minutes of the first half.
Maika Hamano swept in Aggie Beever-Jones’ cutback for the equalizer (28th), before Ashley Lawrence scored a rebound after goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty denied Chelsea stand-in captain Erin Cuthbert from close range.
Chelsea pushed to extend their lead in the second half but found Celtic goalkeeper Daugherty in good form. She twice denied substitute Catarina Macario before Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s low shot was parried away as Daugherty kept Chelsea at bay.
The third goal never came for the Blues, who had Beever-Jones sent off in added time after two bookable offences, but held on to claim a third consecutive victory in the Women’s Champions League and go top of Group B with nine points.
Celtic, meanwhile, put in a spirited performance but remain rooted to the bottom of the group as they await their first point in the competition.
Sunday, November 17, 11:30 a.m.
Beginning at 12:00 pm
What awaits Celtic and Chelsea?
The focus now turns to major league games for both teams.
On Saturday, Chelsea receive WSL leaders city manlive on Sky Sports activities; start at 5:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, celtic host ranger in the WSPL, live on Sky Sports on Sunday; start at 12:30 p.m.
The two teams will meet again in the second leg of the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday, November 20; start at 8 pm
