Chelsea continue unbeaten start to Women’s Champions League with victory at Celtic Park

Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

Chelsea’s 100 per cent start to their Champions League campaign continued as they came from behind to beat Celtic 2-1 at Parkhead.

The hosts, group-stage debutants this season, took a shock lead in the 22nd minute when Murphy Agnew’s strike gave them their first ever goal in the competition proper.

Much-changed Chelsea managed to quickly turn things around through goals from Maika Hamano and Ashley Lawrence.

After boss Sonia Bompastor made three substitutions at the interval, they then had numerous chances in the second half but were unable to make the most of any of them, with Celtic goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty pulling off some good saves.

Chelsea subsequently had Aggie Beever-Jones sent off in stoppage time as they emerged with a narrow win that took them to nine points from three games in Group B – and extended their winning start to the season to nine matches in all competitions.

They are three points clear in the pool of second-placed Real Madrid, while Elena Sadiku’s Celtic stay bottom, yet to get a point on the board, three behind Twente.

Chelsea on Saturday have a Stamford Bridge clash against Women’s Super League leaders Manchester City, who they trail by a point with a game in hand, and ahead of this match Bompastor had spoken about the need to “manage” players.

Her team had travelled to Scotland without Millie Bright, Kadeisha Buchanan, Sjoeke Nusken and Mayra Ramirez, and that contributed to a total of eight changes made to the starting line-up from Sunday’s 3-0 win at Liverpool.

The early stages saw the visitors make unsuccessful attempts via Oriane Jean-Francois and Wieke Kaptein – and they then found themselves behind as Celtic scored an historic opener with their first chance of the contest, Amy Gallacher playing in Agnew, who slotted past Zecira Musovic to bring a huge roar around the stadium.

Chelsea hit back six minutes later when Beever-Jones produced a cutback and Hamano hit a shot that Daugherty got a hand to but could not keep out.

Four minutes on from that and they had another, Lawrence firing in at the second attempt after Erin Cuthbert’s shot was blocked by the legs of Daugherty.

Cuthbert tried her luck again to no avail, while Lucy Ashworth-Clifford saw an attempt dealt with by Musovic just before half-time.

Bompastor opted to make a triple substitution at the break, bringing on Lucy Bronze, Guro Reiten and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd.

And within a few minutes, Bronze had a header cleared off the line and Reiten struck over the bar.

A further Chelsea adjustment brought Catarina Macario off the bench, and she was then swiftly to the fore, unleashing three shots in quick succession. Daugherty parried the first and after the second curled wide, the goalkeeper did well to tip the third over.

After Nathalie Bjorn skewed over from a good position, Ashworth-Clifford brought a save out of Musovic.

Chelsea’s push for a third then quickly resumed, but with Daugherty keeping out a Jean-Francois shot and Beever-Jones header and Macario blasting a free-kick off-target, there remained only a goal in it.

They then got to the final whistle with only 10 players as Beever-Jones was dismissed in the closing moments following a challenge on Colette Cavanagh.

Match details

Celtic Women (4-2-3-1): Daugherty, Lawton, Clark, Lourenco (Hayes, 60), Barclais, McGregor, Ross (Cavanagh, 70), Smith, Gallacher (Noonan, 70), Ashworth-Clifford (McAneny, 90), Agnew (Cross, 70).

Subs Not Used: Logan, Rodgers, Richardson, Signe Carstens, Mathilde Carstens, Munoz.

Booked: Cross, Lawton.

Goals: Agnew (22).

Chelsea Women (3-4-3): Musovic, Perisset, Mpome, Bjorn, Lawrence (Kaneryd, 46), Jean-Francois, Cuthbert (Reiten, 46), Baltimore (Bronze, 46), Kaptein, Hamano (Macario, 59),Beever-Jones.

Subs Not Used: Hampton, Cox, Bartel.

Sent Off: Beever-Jones (90).

Booked: Beever-Jones, Kaptein.

Goals: Hamano (28), Lawrence (32).

09:59 PM GMT

Full-time: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

Celtic have one final chance to break but they can’t make anything of it and the referee blows the whistle.

A slightly strange ending with Beever-Jones’ sending off, but it’s victory for her side as Chelsea continue their unbeaten start to the Champions League group stage.

It wasn’t smooth-sailing by any means and Celtic proved to be a tougher challenge than the visitors may have initially thought. The hosts can certainly take some positives from that ground-out performance.

It’s three wins in three for Sonia Bompastor’s side who sit top of their group with nine points. Celtic are rock bottom with zero points after three losses in the group stage.

09:56 PM GMT

90+4 mins: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

Oh dear - with just seconds left to play, Beever-Jones takes out Cavanagh and is shown a straight red card.

09:54 PM GMT

90+2 mins: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

Kaneryd is closed down again as she attempts to break down the right - the Celtic defenders have made life very difficult for her this evening.

Chelsea have a corner which they take short and the ball eventually goes out again for a throw-in.

It is taken short once again but a challenge results in a free kick for Celtic.

09:52 PM GMT

90 mins: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

Another change for Celtic as Ashworth-Clifford makes way for McAneny.

09:50 PM GMT

88 mins: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

After 70 minutes without a booking, there have been a flurry of yellow cards shown in these past 20 minutes.

Lawton goes into the book for a tug on Reiten and moments later Kaptein is shown the card after her sliding tackle on Cavanagh.

There will be a minimum of four minutes of added time.

09:48 PM GMT

82 mins: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

Kaneryd races into the box and collects the ball in a dangerous position. She takes a great first touch and sends the ball towards goal but Daughtery gets down to make the save.

That’s Chelsea’s 10th shot on goal, and their 24th attempt of the night. It’s a marvel they’ve not scored more - Celtic’s defence have been very impressive tonight.

09:46 PM GMT

80 mins: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

Beever-Jones is shown a yellow card, much to her own confusion, and to the confusion of everyone around her.

10 minutes left in this game, can Celtic find an equaliser?

09:43 PM GMT

79 mins: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

Chelsea are inches away from a third.

Beever-Jones sends the ball back to Jean-Francois who takes a first-time shot at goal from the edge of the box. Daugherty parries it away at full-stretch before Beever-Jones collects the rebound and shoots from close range. It’s a scramble but the Celtic goalkeeper is able to get down and make a second vital save.

Beever-Jones goes down and receives treatment but after a few moments is back up and seems okay to continue.

09:39 PM GMT

76 mins: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

The first yellow card of the night goes to Celtic’s Cross after she takes out Kaneryd from behind.

15 minutes left in this game and still just the one goal separating the two sides...

09:35 PM GMT

73 mins: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

So close for the hosts!

Ashworth-Clifford powers down the left channel and into the box. She crosses the ball in where a couple of Celtic players await in dangerous positions.

There is a scramble as Musovic goes down but can’t get a hand to the ball, Celtic almost get a touch but the visitors manage to cut out and clear the danger.

09:33 PM GMT

71 mins: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

Chelsea are relentless.

Jean-Francois powers the ball forward and Bronze does well to knock it into the path of Bjorn. She shoots from close range but Daugherty parries her attempt away.

Another goal would provide some much-needed breathing space for the visitors.

09:31 PM GMT

67 mins: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

Macario cuts back and sends a shot in from the right side of the box which is gathered by Daugherty.

Just moments later she attacks again, collecting the ball in a dangerous area and going for goal from just outside the box. Her attempts goes wide.

Celtic make three changes as Gallacher, goalscorer Agnew, and Ross make way for Noonan, Cross, and Cavanagh.

09:27 PM GMT

64 mins: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

Celtic have a corner which Gallacher delivers into the box but Musovic punches it away.

Ashworth-Clifford collects the ball just outside the penalty area and takes the shot but her effort goes wide.

Celtic are still very much in this one.

09:23 PM GMT

61 mins: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

Chelsea continuing to put on the pressure, but no third goal for the visitors yet.

Bronze plays in Kaneryd who powers a cross into the box. Her touch is too heavy, though, and it goes behind for a goal kick.

09:19 PM GMT

58 mins: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

Another attacking change from Chelsea as Hamano makes way for Macario.

Celtic make a defensive change as Costa makes way for the six-foot tall central defender, Hayes.

09:18 PM GMT

54 mins: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

Kaneryd plays the ball across the box for Hamano but Celtic manage to clear the danger.

The forward is quickly closed down again after she spills the ball into space but there’s no one from Chelsea waiting to pounce.

The hosts are hanging on and are continuing to defend well but the question is how long they can hold Chelsea back for. They may start to tire soon after playing 120 minutes plus a penalty shoot-out at the weekend. They also face title contenders Rangers in the SWPL this weekend... the Celtic boss will surely be keen to manage the minutes of some of her key players.

09:13 PM GMT

51 mins: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

Jean-Francois sends a looping ball forward to Perisset who plays it back to Reiten.

The forward takes a first-time shot but her effort flies above the crossbar.

09:11 PM GMT

49 mins: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

In a repeat of the opening stages of the first half, it’s all Chelsea at the moment.

A bit more urgency from Sonia Bompastor’s side though, with her team showing some real attacking intent. Bronze already very much involved in everything happening in and around the Celtic box.

Feels like the visitor’s third goal could be coming very soon.

09:06 PM GMT

46 mins: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

Changes for Chelsea at the break - Bronze, Kaneryd, and Reiten replace Baltimore, Lawrence, and Cuthbert. A slightly daunting triple-change from a Celtic perspective.

We are back underway for the second half.

08:51 PM GMT

Half-time: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

The visitors take the lead into the break but Celtic are still very much in this game.

There’s only one goal in it and the hosts have fared well and created chances when breaking on the counter.

Chelsea need to score another goal or two to feel truly comfortable in this fixture - it could all change very quickly in the second half!

08:46 PM GMT

42 mins: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

Lawrence fires a powerful cross into the box. To the relief of the home side, it falls to a Celtic defender who nudges it into the hands of Daugherty.

Celtic break quickly on the counter and Agnew is away down the middle of the pitch. She fires an attempt at goal early but it’s straight into the hands of Musovic.

The hosts definitely work best on the counter - they need to take advantage of those transitional movements.

08:40 PM GMT

37 mins: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

Cuthbert has another shot - she’d love to get a goal on home soil. Her effort is very tame once again and falls straight into the hands of Daugherty.

08:37 PM GMT

34 mins: Celtic 1 Chelsea 2

Cuthbert has another go at goal but her effort is tame and Daughtery easily collects it.

Eek - Chelsea are very much switched on now. This could turn into a bit of a goal-fest for the visitors if Celtic aren’t careful...

08:35 PM GMT

GOAL!

Celtic 1 Chelsea 2 (Lawrence, 31)

That didn’t take long!

Celtic have a chance but don’t manage to pull it off before Chelsea break quickly down the left.

The ball is crossed into the box where Cuthbert awaits and takes a first-time attempt at goal. Her shot is saved by Daugherty but Lawrence runs onto the rebound. There’s a scramble in the box but she manages to nudge the ball home and the visitors are ahead.

08:30 PM GMT

GOAL!

Celtic 1 Chelsea 1 (Hamano, 28)

An instant reaction from Chelsea - they were behind for just six minutes.

Beever-Jones breaks down the left, cuts into the box and passes across to Hamano. The forward powers it home from close range.

08:25 PM GMT

GOAL!!

Celtic 1 Chelsea 0 (Agnew, 22)

Wow - completely against the run of play, Celtic are ahead!

The home side break very quickly - Agnew is away down the centre of the pitch and outruns two Chelsea defenders.

She’s one-on-one with the goalkeeper and manages to tip the ball over Musovic and into the net.

What a moment for the Scottish side.

08:23 PM GMT

19 mins: Celtic 0 Chelsea 0

The majority of play so far has been in their half, but Celtic might feel somewhat encouraged with the way they have started this match. They’ve defended well so far.

They were already one goal down by the 20 minute mark in their last Champions League match against Real Madrid, in which they lost 4-0. A marked improvement in how they’ve started against the English champions tonight.

08:19 PM GMT

16 mins: Celtic 0 Chelsea 0

Daugherty, Celtic’s goalkeeper, goes down after diving on top of the ball. She appears to have hurt her elbow.

She receives treatment and, after a couple of minutes, is back up and ready to continue.

08:17 PM GMT

13 mins: Celtic 0 Chelsea 0

Ross concedes a free-kick after fouling Cuthbert. It’s in a dangerous position - just outside the Celtic box.

Hamano takes the free-kick and plays it across to Lawrence. Cuthbert drives into the box and tries to get in behind but Lawrence’s ball in is far too slow and Celtic manage to clear the danger.

Not quite the set piece Chelsea had in mind.

08:12 PM GMT

10 mins: Celtic 0 Chelsea 0

Celtic defending very well so far. They’ve barely been able to get out of their own half but have done well to clear Chelsea’s early attempts.

They’re attempting to break on the counter but it’s just not happening for them yet.

08:10 PM GMT

6 mins: Celtic 0 Chelsea 0

It’s all Chelsea in these early stages.

Kaptein gains possession just outside the Celtic box and drives forward. She attempts a shot but it’s a tame effort and is easily collected by Daugherty.

Seconds later, the midfielder attacks again. Her attempt is blocked and the ball goes out of play, granting Chelsea their second corner of the game.

Side-note: Kaptein made her Champions League debut at just 15 years old...

08:06 PM GMT

4 mins: Celtic 0 Chelsea 0

Beever-Jones breaks down the left. She drives into the box but can’t produce a shot under pressure, so passes across to Jean-Francois.

The midfielder attempts a first-touch shot but her volley flies over the crossbar.

08:05 PM GMT

2 mins: Celtic 0 Chelsea 0

Early pressure from the visitors results in a corner for Chelsea.

Hamano takes it short, passing to Baltimore who fires it across to Bjorn.

The defender takes a shot from just outside the box but her attempt goes wide and Celtic have the goal kick.

08:02 PM GMT

Kick-off!

The visitors get the match underway.

07:54 PM GMT

A tough test

Tonight’s match marks the first meeting between these two sides. In fact, it is Celtic’s first game against English opposition - and it couldn’t be a tougher test, as they face WSL champions Chelsea.

They’ve struggled so far in their inaugural European campaign but that could all change tonight.

We’re less than 10 minutes from kick-off...

07:44 PM GMT

The Celtic captain’s pre-match thoughts

Kelly Clark said:

07:34 PM GMT

Elsewhere in the Champions League...

In today’s early kick-offs, the two other teams in Chelsea and Celtic’s group are in action with Real Madrid currently beating Twente 6-0 at home. A Group A clash is also underway with Wolfsburg currently 3-0 up against Galatasaray. Both of those matches have around five minutes left to play.

In last night’s Matchday 3 fixtures, Arsenal and Manchester City were both in action.

The north London club cruised to a comfortable 4-0 victory against Juventus in Turin. Meanwhile, at the Etihad Campus, Manchester City ground out a 2-0 win against Hammarby to continue their unbeaten start to the campaign.

Can Chelsea top off another perfect week for the three English clubs in the European competition? We will find out very soon.

07:21 PM GMT

Team news: Eight changes for visitors

Sonia Bompastor has made eight changes to the Chelsea team that started against Liverpool in their weekend WSL win. She confirmed that Kadeisha Buchanan, Millie Bright, Sjoeke Nusken and Mayra Ramirez have not travelled to Scotland for tonight’s fixture as the Chelsea boss looks to manage player’s minutes ahead of a vital match against Manchester City on Saturday.

Scotland international Erin Cuthbert dons the armband for the away side.

Celtic manager Elena Sadiku has made a double change to the team that started in their defeat to Real Madrid last time out. Caitlin Hayes and Colette Cavanagh drop to the bench and are replaced by Shannon McGregor and Jenny Smith. They both started in Celtic’s SWPL Cup victory over Glasgow City on Sunday which saw the team progress to the semi-final.

07:05 PM GMT

Celtic starting XI

07:04 PM GMT

Chelsea starting XI

07:01 PM GMT

Chelsea eye three points in Scotland

Hello and welcome to coverage from the Women’s Champions League as Celtic host Chelsea at Celtic Park.

The visitors will look to continue their unbeaten start to the group stage of the competition. Last time out, they beat Dutch outfit FC Twente 3-1 and they head into this game off the back of a weekend victory against Liverpool in the WSL.

Life in the Champions League has proved trickier for the reigning Scottish champions in their inaugural campaign. They are rock-bottom in their group with zero points and lost 4-0 to Real Madrid in their last European fixture.

However, they have been unbeaten since that loss in mid-October, most recently beating Glasgow City on penalties to progress to the SWPL Cup semi-final.

Speaking ahead of the game, Celtic manager Elena Sadiku said: “I come and watch the guys all the time playing Champions League here and it’s an occasion like nothing else you could ever experience.

“To be doing it is genuinely a dream come true. I can’t wait for it to be time to meet the group - to arrive and see what it’s like.”

She added: “It’s going to be a great game, we have a great team coming to Celtic Park, so we are looking forward to the challenge.

“We know what we did against Real Madrid and we’ve been having a great run of games lately, and there is a great confidence and mood in the team. So they are looking forward to the game.

“We are all set about the game-plan. The players know exactly what to do.”

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor said: “The squad is in a good place. At the moment, we have a good dynamic, good results and we are full of confidence.

“This week is a special week because we have three games, so as a manager it’s also important for me to manage some players as individuals. I have some players who didn’t travel to the game: Kadeisha Buchanan, Millie Bright, Sjoeke Nusken and Mayra Ramirez.

“Chelsea has a really good squad with a lot of quality and tomorrow we’ll have a good team starting the game and being competitive because we have a lot of ambitions and want to finish in first place in this group.”

We will have team news for you shortly...