Chelsea left frustrated after Champions League exit

Chelsea Women 0-2 Barcelona Women (Barcelona win 2-1 on aggregate) 

Emma Hayes dreamed that her 12-year reign at Chelsea would end in a bang - with three cups (including the coveted European trophy) and yet another league title.

But after being dumped out of three competitions in just four weeks, she only has the Women’s Super League to focus on, as rivals Manchester City continue to build up their goal difference.

Hayes was frustrated by refereeing decisions in the Blues’ 2-1 aggregate defeat by Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League.

Kadeisha Buchanan was sent off for two soft yellow cards, in front of a record 39,398 attendance for a women’s game at Stamford Bridge. That handed the initiative and, ultimately, the win to Barca.

But should Hayes, who later called Romanian ref Iuliana Demetrescu “card-happy”, have subbed Buchanan when she received her first yellow, four minutes into the second half? 

Eve Perisset, Nathalie Bjorn and Maren Mjelde were all on the bench, and it might have been shrewder to anticipate further cards and taken Buchanan off.

Demetrescu already had Buchanan on her radar. In the very first minute of the game she stopped play and summoned Buchanan and the Barcelona’s Paralluelo to give them a lecture about not tangling with each other.

But while European silverware may have eluded Hayes, an overall win rate of over 70% in her years at Chelsea means her legacy is secure, and is unlikely to be surpassed for many years.

Despite losing the second leg of the semi-final, that 1-0 first-leg victory at the Olympic stadium will - ending a five-year unbeaten home run for the Spanish side – will remain a highlight.

Focus on the league

After a midweek trip to Liverpool, Chelsea Women take on Bristol City this weekend at Kingsmeadow for what will be Hayes’ last game in charge at the ground.

The Blues’ challenge is to try to bounce back from their disappointments and refocus on the league title.

Defender Jess Carter, who despite conceding the disputed penalty played brilliantly in both legs of the semi, feels too much emphasis is being placed on Hayes’ departure next month.

“It’s not about Emma; we play for ourselves and the fans and everything,” she said.

Sam Kerr and Mayra Ramirez watched the Barcelona game from the bench behind the substitutes in the dug-out at Stamford Bridge.

Ramirez’ late injury was a huge blow to Chelsea, who had to pitch Catarina Macario into the front attacker’s position. While Macario did valiantly, she simply hasn’t the same hold-up skills as Ramirez. 

Lauren James also had a quiet game at the weekend.

Hayes will be hoping for more urgency and involvement on the last lap of the league campaign.