Chelsea Ladies beaten by Wolfsburg in Champions League

Chelsea Ladies’ hopes of making the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League suffered a blow when they were beaten 2-1 by Wolfsburg in the home leg of their last 16 tie.

In front of 1,610 fans at Staines Town’s Wheatsheaf Park, the Blues fell behind in the opening minutes against the two-time champions.

A free-kick from Germany international Lena Goessling was headed on towards Nilla Fischer but the unfortunate Claire Rafferty diverted it beyond her own goalkeeper.

Elise Bussaglia then sent a shot narrowly wide as Wolfsburg’s high-tempo game unsettled the Blues.

Chelsea did however gradually work their way into the game, Gemma Davison firing off target from 20 yards and Ji So-yun forcing a save from Wolfsburg’s Merle Frohms

Emma Hayes’ side enjoyed the better of the second half and got their reward, albeit with another own goal from a free-kick.

This time it was Ji’s delivery and Babette Peter planted a header past Frohms to hand Chelsea the equaliser.

Both teams had their chances but Chelsea were largely on top – some great defending prevented Eni Aluko scoring and Fran Kirby chipped just wide of the post.

So it came as a bit of a surprise when Wolfsburg regained the lead with 12 minutes to play, Caroline Graham Hansen’s low finish beating Blues keeper Hedvig Lindahl.

Rafferty cleared off the line to prevent a third goal for the visitors but Chelsea have it all to do in next week’s second leg.