They’re not quite there, but they’ve overcome the biggest obstacle in their path as they try to retain their league title. Chelsea Women travelled to arch-rivals Man City on Wednesday night and gained a crucial 2-2 draw, meaning they still control the destiny of the Women’s Super League.
Ann-Katrin Berger pulled off a world-class fingertip save to keep the Blues in the game as City posed the bigger threat in the second half, with manager Emma Hayes admitting she was relieved to hear the final whistle. "I hated every single minute of the second half," she said. "It was agonising."
Now the focus switches to Sunday's first leg of the Champions League semi in Germany against Bayern, and the chance to advance to the final of the competition Hayes most wants to win.
Magda Eriksson missed the City clash after failing to fully recover from a sprained ankle sustained when she landed awkwardly as Chelsea defeated London City Lionesses in the FA Cup last Friday night.
The pivotal moment in the midweek match came in the 79th minute. City had a corner, Lauren Hemp rose to meet it and flicked it goalwards. It seemed destined to be City’s winner with the game poised at 2-2, but Berger swung a glove and deflected it on to the post and away to safety.
Her roar as she released the pent-up tension in her wiry frame could probably have been heard as far away as Old Trafford.
If she’s anything, Berger is fearless. She regularly picks up injuries but, like The Terminator, gets back to her feet to carry on saving. The more she hurts, the more she diverts.
Whisper it, but it still keeps Chelsea Women in contention for an unlikely quintuple in a season which has seen so many players blossom.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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