Arsenal Women cause Chelsea more European pain after red card and unpunished hair pull late on

Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of Chelsea v Arsenal in the Women’s Champions League. 

A thrilling all-English clash awaits as Chelsea look to use their home advantage to overturn a 3-1 deficit at Stamford Bridge in their second leg against the reigning European champions. 

Arsenal saw off their Women’s Super League rivals in a dramatic contest last week at the Emirates, where goals from Stina Blackstenius, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo helped the home side to a convincing win. 

Lauren James’s deft chip was the only positive for Chelsea on a night which left Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor fuming at the standard of refereeing after her side had two goals scratched off. 

Arsenal will fancy their chances after a resounding 5-2 North London derby win over Tottenham last weekend, although they can expect Chelsea to rouse a strong response as they bid to progress to a fourth consecutive European semi-final. “We know we can overturn this result,” were the confident words of Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze at full time.

The stats, though, are against Chelsea. Arsenal having progressed on all four previous occasions when they have gained a two-goal first-leg lead in a Uefa competition two-legged tie.

The Champions League is the one major honour missing from Chelsea’s trophy cabinet. While the club have dominated domestically, European success remains the ultimate goal – something they never managed to achieve under former manager Emma Hayes. 

Despite winning the League Cup last month, they have endured a sub-optimal season by their own lofty standards. They are nine points adrift of WSL leaders Manchester City and with three games of the league season remaining, their recent dominance in English women’s football looks set to come to a shuddering halt.