Chelsea came from a goal down to defeat Celtic 2-1 at Celtic Park this evening.
The hosts took the lead when Murphy Agnew netted midway through the first half but Chelsea responded quickly and goals from Maika Hamano and Ashley Lawrence ensured that their 100 percent record in the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage continued.
Chelsea started the game strongly and Oriane Jean-François went close with a curling effort after just seven minutes.
The deadlock was broken midway through the half with Celtic edging ahead against the odds. Amy Gallacher’s pass put Agnew through on goal and she beat Zećira Mušović with relative ease.
Celtic’s lead didn’t last long. Six minutes later, Hamano equalised from close range after being played in by Aggie Beever-Jones.
Four minutes later, it was 2-1 to Chelsea. Erin Cuthbert’s initial effort was well-saved by home keeper Kelsey Daugherty but Lawrence fired home the rebound.
The Blues almost went into the break with a two-goal advantage but Cuthbert’s venomous effort flew narrowly over the bar.
Chelsea dominated the second period and a fascinating battle between substitute Catarina Macário and home keeper Daugherty developed midway through the half. The American registered three shots on goal in as many minutes but she couldn’t find a way past the Celtic stopper. Nathalie Björn then should’ve scored but she failed to direct her effort on target.
The South West Londoners had two good chances in quick succession 10 minutes from time. Jean-François’ strike from distance was pushed wide by Daugherty before Beever-Jones failed to beat the keeper at point blank range with a header.
While Chelsea went on to record a 2-1 win, the contest ended on a sour note for The Blues with Beever-Jones picking up a second booking for a foul deep in second half stoppage time.
Following tonight’s win, Chelsea turn their attention towards Saturday’s huge Barclays Women’s Super League fixture against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
