Other than a brief 10-15 minute spell early in the second-half, Chelsea absolutely dominated the visitors from Sweden tonight at Kingsmeadow in the first leg of their Round of 16 UEFA Women’s Champions League tie. Only several excellent saves from the Rosengrad goalkeeper as well as some wasteful finishing from the Blues kept the scoreline to a somewhat respectable 3-0.
Chelsea’s front three of Kirby, Bachmann, and Ji toyed with their opponents all night, with both Kirby and Bachmann gett on the scoresheet.
Kirby’s goal was the difference at half-time, taking a long pass from Mjelde, beating two, and finishing well.
That finish from Super @frankirby! #CLFC pic.twitter.com/fuosQgy9m2
— Chelsea Ladies FC (@ChelseaLFC) November 8, 2017
Bachmann made it two in the second-half with a cool finish. She was excellent throughout and was probably the Man of the Match (Woman of the Match? Human of the Match?).
Here's the moment @bachmannr10 made it 2-0! #CLFC pic.twitter.com/HnYNZvyGoG
— Chelsea Ladies FC (@ChelseaLFC) November 8, 2017
Center back Flaherty found herself free to make it three and effectively put the first leg to bed with a quarter hour to go.
Second leg in seven days’ time in Malmo. Chelsea will have to work very hard to mess this up, but will still have to pay great attention.
Well done, Chelsea!