Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo score as Arsenal Women beat Chelsea despite Lauren James stunner

Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-1 in the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Arsenal started brightly, but it was the visitors who fashioned the game’s first real chance in the eighth minute.

Alyssa Thompson outpaced Katie McCabe and got a shot away. Laia Codina made a timely block, and the ball bounced off the far post.

Shortly after, Lauren James reacted quickly to a loose ball and showed impressive footwork to get into the penalty area, but saw her effort strike the right post.

Arsenal broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute with Stina Blackstenius heading Katie McCabe’s brilliant free-kick into the net.

Chloe Kelly doubled the Gunners’ lead in the 32nd minute, rifling a low strike from outside the area past Hannah Hampton in the Chelsea goal.

Chelsea had a goal controversially ruled out for a foul before halftime when Veerle Buurman headed in following a scramble in the box.

There were chances at both ends just after the restart. First, Hampton stopped Alessia Russo’s strike, before Anneke Borbe parried James’ shot away.

Russo then came close to adding a third for Arsenal after gliding past Keira Walsh, but could only shoot straight at Hampton.

James halved the Blues’ deficit in the 66th minute. After Arsenal had cleared their lines, the ball fell kindly to the England international, who curled into the top corner.

Russo restored Arsenal’s two-goal cushion with a superb finish in the 76th minute. After getting fed by Blackstenius, she chipped the ball up before volleying it past Hampton.

Kadeisha Buchanan thought she had pulled one back for Chelsea late on, but her effort was ruled out for a foul, much to the frustration of the Blues’ bench.

Arsenal host North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, before next Wednesday’s second leg at Wheatsheaf Park.

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