Chelsea Ladies manager savours ‘biggest win’

Boss Emma Hayes says the aggregate victory over Bayern Munich in the Women’s Champions League was probably the proudest moment of her five years at Chelsea Ladies.

The Blues led the German side 1-0 from the first leg of their last-32 tie and doubled that advantage in Wednesday night’s away leg through Fran Kirby’s brilliant finish into the top corner following a swift breakaway.

Bayern, who were one of the favourites to win this season’s competition, scored twice to level the scores at 2-2 on aggregate, but Chelsea progressed on away goals.

“It’s probably the biggest win in my tenure at the club,” Hayes said.

“It was backs-to-the-wall stuff and it’s probably my proudest night as Chelsea manager.”

A busy start to the new season had seen the Blues play four games in 14 days, including the energy-sapping first leg win over Bayern.

“There was a tiredness in the team,” Hayes said. “We really had to dig deep, show our resilience and our leadership and the girls hung on in what was probably the longest 25 minutes of my life.

“This shows how far we’ve come in the time I’ve been here and what amazing characters we have. It’s probably my proudest night as Chelsea manager.”