Emma Hayes has hailed Chelsea’s “wonderful” performance after they beat Atletico Madrid 2-0, despite playing with 10 players for nearly 80 minutes, on Wednesday night
A Maren Mjelde penalty and a smart Fran Kirby finish in the second half gave Hayes’ side a valuable lead in their Women’s Champions League last-16 tie.
But the game began badly for Chelsea when Sophie Ingle gave away a penalty and was sent off after just 12 minutes
However, Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger saved the spot-kick, and then repeated the feat late in the second half after she gave away her side’s second penalty.
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The result makes Chelsea favourites to progress to the quarter-finals at the expense of Atletico, who are fourth in Spain’s Primera Division, and Hayes was understandably delighted at her side’s performance.
“I thought we were extremely calm under the pressure,” she said. “I felt calm throughout the whole game, I didn’t feel the stress and I don’t think the players did.
“You guys might say it was dramatic but it didn’t actually feel that way. I thought we were very controlled.
“It was a wonderful performance of doing the right things at the right time. Of course that’s made easier by them not scoring from that penalty, because I think that gave us a lift.
“But you really have to credit my team’s performance because that’s not easy to do [play with 10] for 80-odd minutes, and still win the game.”
Chelsea – who are top of the Women’s Super League and travel to West Ham on Sunday – will play the second leg of their Champions League tie in Madrid three days later.
