Match report as Chelsea are thwarted by an inspired Juventus goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin in goalless draw at Kingsmeadow; Sam Kerr was involved in an altercation with a pitch invader
Thursday 9 December 2021 23:11, UK
Chelsea missed the chance to seal qualification for the Women's Champions League quarter-finals with a game to spare as they drew 0-0 with Juventus at Kingsmeadow in a match where Sam Kerr floored a pitch invader.
Emma Hayes' side were thwarted on a number of occasions by Juve goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin as they endured a frustrating time of it in their penultimate Group A match, where victory would have guaranteed their progress as pool winners.
Chelsea's efforts to find a dramatic late winner were interrupted in bizarre fashion by a pitch invader in the closing stages. He appeared to be attempting to take selfies with Chelsea players and was shoved to the ground by a frustrated Kerr, who was booked, as the crowd booed.
Hayes said: "I'm not frustrated [we didn't score], I'm knackered. We aren't superhuman. I think we had the toughest group. To be sitting top of that group right now, I'm really happy about that.
"When someone runs on the pitch, understandably players are thinking about their welfare."
The Blues, last season's runners-up who completed a 2020-21 domestic treble by winning the FA Cup on Sunday, complete their group fixtures by playing Wolfsburg away next Thursday - a point will be enough to guarantee a last-eight place.
They have 11 points from five matches, three more than Juventus - managed by former Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro - and Wolsfburg, who earlier on Wednesday were 3-0 victors over a Servette outfit still without one on the board.
Peyraud-Magnin was in action in the second minute of the contest as she pushed an Erin Cuthbert strike onto the top of the crossbar.
The visitors' bar was hit again in the 21st minute via Sam Kerr's delivery from the right, and Peyraud-Magnin then denied Guro Reiten, turning her drive over.
Chelsea continued to apply pressure, with Kerr putting the ball across the face of goal from a tight angle having gone around Peyraud Magnin, then heading off-target, before the France international pulled off another save as she tipped Millie Bright's effort over.
After Pernille Harder struck too high early in the second half, Kerr slotted in from close-range from Fran Kirby's cross - but the effort was disallowed for offside.
Peyraud-Magnin's opposite number Ann Katrin-Berger then made a comfortable save as she gathered Lina Hurtig's shot.
Beth England was brought on by Hayes and saw an effort blocked by Peyraud-Magnin in the 80th minute. Kirby and Bright then made further unsuccessful attempts as the hosts' bid to break the deadlock proved in vain.
Chelsea Women travel to face Reading in the Women's Super League on Saturday; coverage starts at 11am on Sky Sports Premier League with kick-off at 11.30am.
