Lawrence caps rapid turnaround as Chelsea rise to Celtic’s WCL challenge

Chelsea’s aspiration of claiming this season’s Women’s Champions League was hardly in danger as Murphy Agnew handed Celtic a shock 22nd-minute lead. It was simply that the potential for an embarrassing evening for one of the luminaries of the Super League became a live one. Briefly, as it transpired.

Chelsea departed Glasgow’s east end with reputation intact. There was only a stoppage-time red card for Aggie Beever-Jones to irritate Sonia Bompastor. Beever-Jones had received two bookings, the first for re-entering the field without permission. Bompastor felt that situation “could have been avoided” by the match officials.

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Agnew’s goal, Celtic’s historic first in the Champions League proper, had been overturned by the time the half-time whistle blew. There was a sense of occasion in front of more than 7,000 that Celtic can be proud of and a performance, too. At no point did Chelsea overawe their opponents. Celtic can be content that they are gradually finding their feet at this level.

Chelsea, who seemed roused by the Agnew-induced scare, are edging towards the part of this tournament where they really want to make an impact. Stiffer tests lie in wait; ones where they will need to be far more ruthless. Two goals from more than 20 shots at goal represented scant return. “Not efficient enough,” was the Bompastor verdict.

A glance at pre-match odds emphasised the challenge facing Celtic. Some outlets had the Scottish champions in excess of 50-1 for a home fixture, a scenario which only serves as a reminder of the chasm between elite female football north and south of the border. Celtic have also struggled with the balancing act between domestic and European football in the early stages of this campaign.

Celtic’s cause was hardly helped by intense speculation regarding a supposed fall out between the manager, Elena Sadiku, and Caitlin Hayes, who missed recent fixtures. Sadiku has denied any problem between her and Hayes – who had been “rested” according to the coach – but there was only a place among the substitutes for the Republic of Ireland international here.

With Chelsea’s eye on upcoming challenges, Bompastor spared Millie Bright the trip to Glasgow. A Scot and former Rangers player, Erin Cuthbert, captained the visitors. A quarter of the way into the game, Chelsea’s approach was open to question.

Bompastor’s team had dominated possession before Agnew sent Celtic ahead. The trouble was, Chelsea had not done nearly enough to test Kelsey Daugherty in the home goal. A wonderful pass from Amy Gallacher sent Agnew free. The forward used pace to elude the Chelsea defence and composure to flick beyond the advancing Zecira Musovic. Chelsea’s play to this point, while pretty on the eye, had been utterly ineffectual.

Joy from those in hoops was to prove short-lived. Celtic had poked the bear. Daugherty should have saved Maika Hamano’s equaliser, the goalkeeper instead helping the ball into the net after fine buildup play from Beever-Jones. The goal was, however, due reward for Hamano’s elegance throughout the opening period. Daugherty redeemed herself with a superb stop from Cuthbert following a sweeping Chelsea move down the left. The trouble was, Ashley Lawrence was on hand to lash home the loose ball.

Lucy Bronze was among a trio of Chelsea players to be introduced for the start of the second half. Bompastor’s clear aim was to notch the goal that would extinguish Celtic hope. Hayes took to the field on the hour mark as Celtic looked to stem an incessant flow of pressure from those in black.

Daugherty saved well from Catarina Macario. The same Chelsea substitute curled narrowly wide. At the other end, Musovic had become a bystander. Chelsea panic was created only by themselves, Nathalie Björn deflecting an Agnew cross only narrowly wide of her own goal during that rarest of things, a Celtic foray deep into Chelsea territory.

Daugherty denied Johanna Rytting Kaneryd at point-blank range. A glimpse of salvation arrived for Celtic but Saoirse Noonan fluffed her lines. No red faces for Chelsea, merely that irksome card of identical colour.

For Celtic, onwards with confidence to Sunday’s Old Firm clash. “I think we deserved more,” said Sadiku. “They followed the gameplan exactly as I wanted them to.”