Cuthbert gives Chelsea Euro lifeline
Erin CuthbErt scored a potentially vital away goal, as Chelsea lost their Champions League semi-final first leg 2-1 at Lyon.
Chelsea, bidding to reach the final for the first time, might have been on level terms had Fran Kirby not seen her first-half penalty saved.
Five-time champions Lyon took a two-goal lead. Magdalena Eriksson scored an unfortunate own goal while trying to block a shot by Delphine Cascarino. then Amandine henry got the faintest of touches on Dzsenifer Marozsan’s corner. Eriksson is making own goals a habit. She turned the ball past Ann-Katrin berger in the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City last week.
undeterred, Chelsea showed spirit and scored thanks to Cuthbert’s half-volley.
in the other semi-final, barcelona won 1-0 at bayern Munich. the final is in budapest on May 18.
Arsenal Women are just one win away from taking the Women’s Super League title after beating Everton 2-1. it leaves the Gunners four points clear of Manchester City with two matches left.
Arsenal, bidding for their first championship since 2012, made the perfect start with defender Louise Quinn scoring after four minutes, although she may ‘lose’ the goal as Abbey-Leigh Stringer appeared to get the final touch.
Viviane Miedema, the WSL’s leading scorer, showed skill and composure to make it 30 for the season. but Arsenal gifted Everton a goal when goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal picked up a back pass by Leah Williamson. Chantelle boye-hlorkah scored from the indirect free-kick.
Arsenal will clinch the title if they beat brighton next weekend or if Manchester City fail to beat Yeovil.
rinsola babajide scored a hat-trick in Liverpool’s 5-2 home win against bristol City. Yana Daniels and Ashley hodson were also on the scoresheet for the reds while Danique Kerkdijk and a niamh Fahey own goal made up bristol’s goals.