Kelly helps Arsenal to first-leg win against Chelsea

Chloe Kelly scored as Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-1 in the first leg of the Women’s Champions League quarter-final.

After goals from Stina Blackstenius and west Londoner Kelly, Lauren James pulled one back for Chelsea with a brilliant left-footed hit from 35 yards into the top corner of the net.

But Alessia Russo responded with another goal for the holders, leaving Sona Bompastor’s side with work to do in next week’s second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea made a lively start at the Emirates Stadium, with Alyssa Thompson and James hitting the post in the opening eight minutes.

But by half-time, the Blues were two down and had had a goal controversially disallowed.

An unmarked Blackstenius headed in Katie McCabe’s free-kick and Kelly made it 2-0 with a low shot that bounced over keeper Hannah Hampton.

Veerle Buurma then found the net but the goal was ruled out following a VAR check after she was adjudged to have fouled Laia Codina.

There was no doubt about James’ incredible strike after the interval, but Russo’s was also a high-quality goal – she chipped the ball up and volleyed past Hampton after collecting Blackstenius’ pass.

And in stoppage time, much to the anger of manager Bompastor and her coaching staff, the visitors had another goal disallowed, this time when Kadeisha Buchanan poked the ball in but also caught keeper Anneke Borbe.