Chelsea return from Montpelier with a 2-0 advantage over their French hosts, while Manchester City travel to Sweden next week with a similar lead over Linkopings in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Super-sub bags Blues’ second
It was goalless at the break in France, after Hedvig Lindahl turned Virginia Torecilla’s effort onto the woodwork before gathering the rebound and Drew Spence’s shot was turned away by Casey Murphy.
The deadlock was broken early in the second half, Fran Kirby slipping the ball through for Ji So-Yun to slot past the goalkeeper.
Sofia Jakobsson got through on goal only to be denied by the legs of Lindahl, after which Ramona Bachmann hit the woodwork at the other end and Hannah Blundell’s follow-up was saved.
Katrine Veje slammed a shot against the foot of the Chelsea post but then Erin Cuthbert came off the bench to head home Magda Eriksson’s corner.
Nikita Parris and Jane Ross got the goals as Manchester City defeated ten-player Linkopings.
Keira Walsh struck the frame of the goal before there were crucial penalty decisions at either end in a five-minute spell, bringing the opening goal on 37 minutes.
Lina Hurtig went down under a Steph Houghton challenge but appeals were waved away, with Lina Lantz soon cautioned when conceding a free kick, which led to a penalty for handball from Ross’s shot and a red card for Lantz. Parris hit the spot-kick into the top corner.
The lead was doubled on 55 minutes, Melissa Lawley’s floated cross bringing a looping header from Ross.
Georgia Stanway’s volley struck the crossbar and the visitors almost snatched an away goal as Filippa Angeldal drilled just wide.
