Chelsea Ladies out of Champions League

Chelsea Ladies went out of the Women’s Champions League against Wolfsburg for the second season running after failing to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit, drawing 1-1 in Germany.

Eni Aluko gave the Blues hope with a goal just before half-time but Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir’s goal 10 minutes from time sealed their fate.

It matches the 4-1 aggregate defeat by Wolfsburg at the same stage last season.

Having lost heavily in last week’s home leg at Stamford Bridge, Emma Hayes’ side were always up against it.

But they put in a good display, despite the early threat of prolific Germany striker Alexandra Popp, who put one header wide and had another saved by Blues keeper Hedvig Lindahl.

They stayed in contention in the first half and got their reward when Isabel Kerschowski’s poor backpass let Aluko in on goal, and she finished past Almuth Schult.

Karen Carney hit the corner of post and bar with a shot from the edge of the box in the second half, but their slim hopes of getting back into the tie were ended by Gunnarsdottir, who fired into the top corner after being set up by Anna Blasse.

Popp went close shortly afterwards with a deflected shot which went just wide, and Chelsea were unable to muster a response.