Manchester City 2-0 Chelsea result - Vivianne Miedema double secures UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg win

Manchester City inflicted Chelsea’s first defeat of the season, beating them 2-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final at Joie Stadium.

Vivianne Miedema came off the bench to score twice in the second half to give Nick Cushing his first win as returning City head coach and create a two-goal lead going into the second leg.

Miedema’s strike after 60 minutes put the hosts ahead, after a tense affair during the first half.

Hannah Hampton tipped Laia Aleixandri's header on to the bar with a fine save, but Miedema was on hand to smash the rebound into the back of the net and put City ahead.

Miedema doubled her and City’s tally with just minutes to play, ensuring Chelsea face an uphill task during next Thursday’s second leg at Stamford Bridge.

January signing Kerolin found some space down the right-hand side, before picking out the former Arsenal striker in the box, who let the ball roll onto her left foot before striking into the far corner.

The Dutch forward has now scored 31 goals in just 35 Women’s Champions League appearances and took just 15 minutes to strike after being brought on at half-time.

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd struck the bar with 10 minutes to play after she was played through by Aggie Beever-Jones, but that was the closest the visitors came to scoring.

City defended brilliantly during the last half hour to become the first side this season to stop Chelsea from scoring.

Both sides failed to create any clear-cut chances during the first half, with City’s only touch in Chelsea’s box coming after 43 minutes.

The hosts had several speculative efforts from distance, but Hampton was able to easily deal with what was thrown at her.

Chelsea seemed to be playing within themselves in the first 45 minutes, as they ensured that City were kept at arm’s length.

However, the visitors could not replicate Sunday’s League Cup final result and will now need a big performance during next Thursday’s second leg.

City face Chelsea again on Sunday in the WSL in the third match of four in 12 days between the sides, hoping for a repeat of tonight's result against the league leaders.

"I don't think we were good enough, there was not enough effort in our press, and we were really sloppy on our passing and City were probably better organised.

"We were miles off our game. Sonia (Bompastor) said that at half-time and I think it improved a bit in the second half, but that's when they got in.

"I think that's what football is, you have up's and downs. We have had a fantastic first half of the season. Obviously, everyone steps up their game when they play Chelsea, because they want to be the first team to beat us and that has obviously happened today.

"We have to go back, be better for the weekend and th next game. Although we are 2-0 down, we are completely confident we can turn this around.

"There wasn't a hangover from the League Cup Final, we were completely focused. I don't think we were at our best on the weekend either, so I think we need to improve.

"We know we can be a lot better. I think Chelsea at our best beat any team on any level and that wasn't it today.

"Next week will be the biggest game of the season so far. We have to focus on the weekend, and then it is all to play for next Thursday," said Lucy Bronze to TNT Sports.

"Vivianne Miedema is used to these kind of games and the spectacle that they are.

"What great work the second goal is, it is brilliant to let the ball come across her body and find the corner.

"We talk a lot about her quality and what she brought into the game and that second strike put the game to bed. What a finish," said TNT Sports pundit Jen Beattie.

"We were really good. That should be our standard. We were really disappointed on Saturday, but we have had some special UEFA Women's Champions League nights here and tonight really summed it up.

"I do feel well, but I am not at the stage where I can play 90 minutes four times in quick succession, so we spoke about it and decided I was delighted that I could come on in the second half and help the team.

"My record is not a bad record to be honest! This competition is special, we all want to play in it, it is something we are fighting for in the league. Hopefully, we can put in the same performance next week.

"We have been getting a lot of knocks, we are missing a lot of players and I am really happy we got this result today, because it gives us confidence going into the game on Sunday and next Thursday as well," said Miedema to TNT Sports.

TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League, as well as exclusive Premier League games across the 2024-25 season.

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Any matches that fall within the Saturday blackout window in the UK cannot be shown live. The blackout window prohibits matches being shown on television between 14:45 and 17:15 in the UK.

Chelsea were unbeaten in all competitions this season before they came up against legendary striker Vivianne Miedema tonight.

The Dutch forward struck twice off the bench to avenge Sunday's League Cup final defeat and give City a 2-0 lead in their UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final.

Chelsea lacked threat in attack, with City becoming the first side to stop them scoring this campaign.

The hosts defended resolutely and relied on the brilliance of Miedema to give Nick Cushing his first victory as interim head coach.

The two sides will face-off next Thursday at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of their quarter-final, with a tie against either Barcelona or Wolfsburg awaiting the winners.

That is that for the first leg and it is Miedema who is City's hero! The Dutch forward struck twice during the second half to give City a two-goal first leg lead and inflict Chelsea's first defeat of the season.

TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League, as well as exclusive Premier League games across the 2024-25 season.

The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.

Any matches that fall within the Saturday blackout window in the UK cannot be shown live. The blackout window prohibits matches being shown on television between 14:45 and 17:15 in the UK.

We will have five added minutes here at Joie Stadium.

Can Chelsea get one back?

City have now doubled their lead! It is Miedema who scores again!

The Dutch striker is picked out in the box by the excellent Kerolin and hits the ball first time into the bottom corner past Hampton.

Pure class from Miedema.

Miedema goes through on-goal, but Hampton makes a fine stop to ensure City don't double their lead.

However, the flag went up almost straight away and the replays show she was offside.

Chelsea go close again! Kaptain strikes from just inside the box and it is spilled by Yamashita, but Rytting Kaneryd can't quite latch on to the rebound.

Chelsea strike the bar! Rytting Kaneryd is played through by Beever-Jones after some great work by Bright, but her strike smashes against the crossbar.

So close.

The hosts are defending resolutely as Chelsea increase the pressure.

Can City inflict Chelsea's first defeat of the season?

Laura Blinkilde Brown replaces Jess Park for City.

Ramirez is replaced by Japanese international Maika Hamano as Chelsea chase an equaliser.

Ramirez thinks she has brought Chelsea level, poking the ball into the bottom corner.

However, the flag is instantly raised and the replays show she was clearly offside.

Miedema has now scored 30 goals in just 35 UEFA Women's Champions League appearances for Bayern Munich, Arsenal and now Manchester City.

The Dutch forward has scored twice during this year's competition, including her vital goal tonight.

It is no wonder interim head coach Nick Cushing brought Miedema on at the break.

Miedema almost has two! The Dutch striker breaks away, before taking aim from just outside the box, but Hampton is equal to it.

Fowler is replaced by Laura Coombs.

City have the lead and it is the substitute Miedema who scores! Hampton makes a brilliant save on to the bar from Laia Aleixandri's header, but the ball falls to the Dutch striker, who makes no mistake.

That is Miedema's 30th UEFA Women's Champions League goal in just 35 games.

Huge goal for City!