Chelsea cruise into quarter-finals with win over Celtic
Chelsea have qualified for the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals with a 100% record after beating Celtic 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
Lucy Bronze, 19-year-old Wieke Kaptein and Eve Perisset were on target for Sonia Bompastor’s side, who have won all 11 games since the French manager took charge in the summer.
Five-time Champions League winner Bronze, who is looking to help Chelsea claim their first European crown, opened the scoring inside two minutes when her brilliant volley troubled goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty, who spilled the ball over the line.
The Blues doubled their lead on 25 minutes when teenager Kaptein glanced a brilliant header beyond Daugherty at the near post.
Chelsea were awarded a late penalty when Bronze’s clipped cross struck the arm of Shannon Mcgregor, and substitute Perisset made sure of the points from the spot.
Celtic are enjoying their maiden season in the Champions League but have lost all four of their opening games.
Chelsea, who were beaten in last season’s final by Bronze’s Barcelona, still have to play FC Twente and Real Madrid as they bid to qualify as group winners.
Talking point – Bompastor continues perfect start to life at Chelsea
Chelsea manager Bompastor was clearly not happy with her side’s performance in tonight’s reverse fixture at Celtic Park last week, where the Women’s Super League outfit edged the Scottish side 2-1 to put one foot in the knockouts.
That just goes to show the level she has set at Chelsea this season, who have won all 11 of the games she has taken charge of.
As the women’s game heads for the November international break, Chelsea are top of the tree both domestically and in Europe, and are now one step closer to finally sealing Champions League glory.
Player of the Match – Wieke Kaptein (Chelsea)
The Dutch teenager delivered a remarkably mature performance for Chelsea. She scored the second goal – a header she took brilliantly – to put the hosts in firm control and created the most chances in the game (4).
The 19-year-old seemed to be involved in everything good Chelsea did going forward as she continued her impressive start to the season with her fifth goal contribution.
Match Ratings
Chelsea: Musovic 7, Bronze 8, Mpome 7, Bright 7, Lawrence 7, Jean-Francois 8, Nusken 7, Kaptein 9, Macario 7, Reiten 7, Kaneryd 7
Subs: Ramirez 6, Cuthbert 6,Perisset 7, Bartel N/A, Brown N/A
Celtic: Daugherty 5, Lawton 6, Hayes 7, Clark 7, Barclais 7, McGregor 6, Smith 6, Cavanagh 6, Gallacher 6, Ashworth-Clifford 5, Agnew 6
Subs: S.Carstens 6, M.Carstens N/A, Cross 6, Noonan 6
Match Highlights
2’ – GOAL!!! – CHELSEA 1-0 CELTIC (BRONZE): Lucy Bronze puts Chelsea ahead with a sensational volley! The hosts take a short corner to Catarina Macario, who plays a quick one-two with Sjoeke Nusken before sending a cross into the box which Bronze volleys home. Goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty got a strong hand to it, but could not keep it out! The perfect start for Bompastor.
25’ – GOAL!!! – CHELSEA 2-0 CELTIC (KAPTEIN): The teenager doubles Chelsea’s lead! Again from a short corner, Reiten delivers a really pacey cross which 19-year-old Wieke Kaptein guides past the goalkeeper with a brilliant header.
54’ – LET OFF FOR CELTIC – The ball drops to Nusken in the six-yard box but she miskicks her effort and Celtic clear the danger only as far as Reiten, whose shot is on target but Clark heads it clear. Daugherty was beaten.
57’ – BIG CHANCE FOR CHELSEA! Celtic fail to clear their lines and Ramirez battles to win the ball in the box, shifts to the right and just as you expect the net to bulge, her low strike takes a nick off a defender and goes behind for a corner. Celtic are hanging on at the moment as the first corner is cleared behind goal.
60’ – WHAT A BALL FROM BRONZE! And Kaptein should do better! Bronze finds her fellow goalscorer with a fantastic delivery from the right and Kaptein is free in the box but sends her header straight at the goalkeeper.
79’ – RAMIREZ’S SHOT FLASHES ACROSS GOAL – Chelsea get forward down the left and Jean-Francois delivers an inviting ball towards the front post, where Ramirez gets a touch but can’t guide the ball into the net. Ramirez has hurt herself in the process.
90’+3 – CHELSEA PENALTY! Bronze makes a powerful run down the right-hand side of the penalty box and clips the ball into the box, which strikes Shannon Mcgregor’s arm.
90’+4 – GOAL!!! – CHELSEA 3-0 CELTIC (PERISSET): Substitute Eve Perisset makes no mistake from the spot and Chelsea have a third!
Key Stat
Sonia Bompastor has guided Chelsea to 11 wins from 11 games this season.Chelsea have qualified for the Champions League quarter-finals for the sixth time in the last seven seasons.
