Lyon’s shock defeat boosts Chelsea Euro hopes
Lyon’s reign as European champions is over after a quarter-final defeat by Paris St-germain.
After lifting five consecutive Women’s Champions League titles, Lyon’s push for a record eighth crown ended as France defender Wendie Renard’s second-half own goal gave PSG a 2-1 second-leg win, and they progressed on away goals.
Lyon had led 1-0 from the first leg, before suffering an outbreak of Covid-19 in their camp which meant the second leg was delayed until yesterday. They extended their aggregate lead through Catarina Macario’s fourth-minute effort, but Grace Geyoro scored for PSG before Renard’s error sealed the tie.
The result could boost Chelsea’s hopes of delivering Britain’s first European champions since Arsenal in 2007. Chelsea meet Bayern Munich in the semi-finals over two legs, starting next Sunday, with Emma Hayes’s side still in contention for a quadruple of major honours this term.
In yesterday’s fourth-round FA Cup action, several Women’s Super
League sides had comfortable wins. The sole shock was delivered by Southampton, the lowest-ranked side remaining, who won 2-1 at Championship outfit Lewes a week after despatching third-tier club Yeovil United. Georgie Freeland and Rachel Panting gave them a 2-1 win. Ini Umotong scored for Lewes, but also had a penalty saved.
Fourth-tier side Wolves briefly led against Blackburn, but were eventually beaten 5-2.
Record 14-time winners Arsenal were 10-0 victors over Gillingham, while West Ham United hit 11 goals past Chichester & Selsey and Manchester United were 6-0 winners at Burnley.