City hosted Chelsea in the first leg of the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals in the second of four meetings between the two sides in a 12 day period.
Chelsea have been formidable this season and lifted the League Cup trophy on Saturday after a 2-1 victory over City. Consequently, City were out for revenge tonight and they were successful in this mission.
The hosts handed Chelsea their first loss of the season and will now carry a valuable and unexpected 2-0 lead into the second leg of their Champions League tie. Many believed that Chelsea would prevail on all four of the clashes between the two teams. However, City stepped up to the challenge and put in a brilliant performance to use the odds.
Here are five things we learned:
Miedema makes the difference:
Vivianne Miedema was the match-winner tonight. The Women’s Super League’s all-time leading goalscorer, Miedema also boasts an impressive Champions League goalscoring record. After tonight, the Dutch international has scored 31 goals in just 35 Champions League matches. She started amongst the substitutes tonight but made a huge impact after coming on at half-time. The forward was in the right place at the right time to fire the hosts ahead on the hour mark. Then she doubled City’s lead with a top class finish in the 88th minute, guiding City to a massive victory.
Chelsea’s unbeaten season over
After 31 matches without defeat, Chelsea have finally been bested. The Blues’ impressive streak without losing matched the record for the longest unbeaten run of any WSL side ever. However, they could not extend their invincible streak tonight as they suffered their first defeat since May. Their dressing room will not be used to the feeling of losing but Chelsea will have to bounce back quickly. They are entering a season-defining period and cannot let this knock them down.
City overcome injury troubles:
City have struggled this season and key injuries have continually hampered their form. They were dealt another injury blow this week, as star striker Bunny Shaw was ruled out of tonight’s Champions League tie. However, City were able to overcome their absences to produce a memorable performance and victory. It will provide a huge boost to their confidence and belief for the final months of the season.
Bompastor defeated
Sonia Bompastor has been in dreamland since she took charge of Chelsea in the summer. The French coach had big shoes to fill after Emma Hayes left the role but she has delivered so far. Bompastor’s Chelsea had been almost perfect before tonight, winning every game part from two draws, but now we will finally see how Bompastor reacts to defeat. The tie is far from over but she will need to find solutions if her side are to overcome the two goal deficit in the second leg.
Cushing off the mark:
The result is equally important to City’s boss as it is to their players. It is Nick Cushing’s first victory since he took interim charge of the side last week. Gareth Taylor was sacked ahead of the League Cup final that City lost to Chelsea last Saturday. Cushing started his tenure with the unenviable task of facing the best team in the country four times in a row. Despite this, now he has secured victory over Chelsea, Cushing has proven to everybody that he is still capable.