Chelsea hit Roma for six in UWCL demolition

Chelsea are one win away from securing direct passage to the quarterfinals of the Women's Champions League after thrashing Roma 6-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Sonia Bompastor's side were in need of a victory to keep their fate in their own hands after dropping points against FC Twente and Barcelona, and they achieved it in emphatic fashion, thumping their Italian visitors who are now eliminated.

It was also a welcome result coming as it did in the team's first match since losing their 34-match unbeaten Women's Super League record against Everton on Sunday.

An early own-goal gave Chelsea the lead. Sandy Baltimore's cross from the left was too high for Sam Kerr, but Roma defender Valentina Bergamaschi inadvertently headed the ball past her own goalkeeper.


It was 2-0 before the half-hour mark, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd nodding down a high ball for Wieke Kaptein who swept a finish into the bottom corner.

The contest was effectively over by half-time. Niamh Charles worked her way to the byline and pulled the ball across goal. Goalkeeper Olivie Lukasova got a hand to it but there to mop up was Rytting Kaneryd who thumped the rebound into the net.

Sjoeke Nüsken won her side a 51st-minute penalty after being kicked by Marta Pandini inside the box. The German got up to dispatch the penalty herself to make it four.

Guro Reiten set up Maika Hamano, who tapped in to make it five with 13 minutes left.

And Lucy Bronze nutmegged her defender and sent over a cross that sailed over the head of the goalkeeper and in to complete the scoring in the 86th minute.