Author: Paul Lagan

Pernille Harder has put Chelsea a step closer to the semi-final of the Champions League with the goal that beat German champions Wolfsburg 2-1 in a tight quarter-final first leg played in Budapest – but the Londoners can count themselves lucky still to be in contention.

An own goal and a last-gasp second from substitute Hakim Ziyech saw off defiant Sheffield United 2-0 to put Chelsea into the semi-final of the FA Cup, but the Blues will have to play much better if they are going to have a chance of lifting the trophy.

Thomas Tuchel will make a host of changes for Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge. Fresh from Wednesday night’s convincing 2-0 win at home to Atletico Madrid, which means the west Londoners are in the Champions League quarter-final draw today, head coach Tuchel will rest a few and welcome back others.

Sam Kerr crashed home a hat-trick, Fran Kirby notched up a brace and Chelsea duly retained the Conti-Cup by thrashing Bristol City 6-0 at Watford’s Vicarage Road this afternoon.

Chelsea Women’s boss Emma Hayes will be hoping her players have recovered from their midweek exertions in overcoming Atletico Madrid in the Champions League to be fit and ready for the League Cup final on Sunday.

An own goal and a Jorginho penalty saw off a solid but uninspired Everton as the Blues went into the Champions League positions with a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.

Sam Kerr powered the Blues to three vital points against a resolute West Han United that keeps the west Londoners top of the WSL.

For a brief spell, Manchester City who were two points behind the champions took over top spot after defeating Everton 1-0.

Magda Eriksson is battling to be fit for Chelsea’s WSL match against West Ham United on Sunday. The Blues skipper was a surprise omission due to injury from Wednesday night’s 2-0 Champions League win against Atletico Madrid.

Ann-Katrin Berger saved two penalties as Chelsea took a major step to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, beating speedy Atletico Madrid 2-0 at Kingsmeadow Stadium tonight in the first leg – and that with 10 men for 70 minutes after Sophie Ingle’s 13th minute red card.

Chelsea failed to leapfrog West Ham into fourth place in the Premier League after a disappointing 0-0 draw against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. The west Londoners failed to pierce a resolute United defence, and the Mancunians were happy with the point. The fact that they had a penalty shout turned down by referee Stuart Attwell, after a VAR intervention, could leave the visitors feeling a little short-changed.

Thomas Tuchel knows that his players have to show the work rate and aggression on Sunday against Manchester United, that they produced against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday – and, just as importantly, be wary of complacency.

Olivier Giroud scored a spectacular goal to put Chelsea in the driving seat as they beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 away in Bucharest, Romania in the first leg of the last 16 of the Champions League tonight. It was a game of few chances enlivened only by the France striker’s acrobatic overhead kick deep into the second half.

Mason Mount picked himself off the floor after Danny Ings had bundled him over in the Saints penalty area, and slotted home a fine spot kick to give the Blues a point against a poor Southampton side at St Marty’s. Chelsea remain unbeaten under Thomas Tuchel’s tutelage, but will be disappointed not to have secured all three points

Olivier Giroud is expected to lead the line for Chelsea when they face Southampton at St Mary’s tomorrow. The veteran hitman, 34, came off the bench to replace injured Tammy Abraham and scored the opening goal in Monday’s 2-0 home win over Newcastle. It propelled the west Londoners into fourth place in the Premier League – a position unthinkable while Frank Lampard was at the helm.

Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has won the January manager of the month, while her strike Fran Kirby gets the gong for January player of the month.

Chelsea cruised to an emphatic 5-0 victory away to Bristol City to enter the international break at the helm of the WSL – five points clear of second place Manchester City.

Emma Hayes has ruled herself out of managing the GB football team at this summer’s Olympics in Japan. The Chelsea Women’s manager has been in the running to take the post, which was thrown open by the sudden resignation of England women’s coach Phil Neville, who was going to double up as the boss of the GB side.

Pernille Harder showed why she’s the best in the business when she rammed home two fantastic strikes to end Arsenal’s outside chance of the WSL title as the Blues won 3-0 at Kingsmeadow tonight.

Chelsea crashed to a humbling defeat to lowly Brighton 2-1 at home to open up the WSL title race.