CHELSEA TAKE THE HARDER ROUTE TO VICTORY AS PERNILLE SEALS IT

PERNILLE HARDER was the hero for the second week running as Chelsea Women beat Juventus in the Champions League. The Blues needed a 69th-minute Harder goal to claim a point in their opening group match with Wolfsburg and the Danish international was on hand to score the winner at the Allianz Stadium last night. Juve have made a strong start to life under new manager and former Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro, with six wins from six games in Serie A.

But the Italians found themselves 1-0 down on the half-hour mark. Erin Cuthbert found space on the right wing, took one touch to come inside then drove past three defenders into the box before finishing calmly into the bottom corner. But Juve responded well and were level just six minutes later. Lisa Boattin’s cross from the left wing found Barbara Bonansea at the back post and she beat Guro Reiten to the ball to place a sidefooted, first-time volley into the bottom corner. Chelsea had a great chance to retake the lead when Reiten pulled the ball back to Harder on the penalty spot, but her finish flew just wide of the post. But the striker would not be denied when she reacted quickly to a loose ball in the box and fired home to give Chelsea all three points.