Fran Kirby fires Chelsea into Women’s Champions League semi-finals alongside Manchester City
The prospect of an all-English final remains on course after both Chelsea and City avoid each other in the last four following impressive victories over Montpellier and Linkopings respectively
Fran Kirby scored twice and made another as Chelsea reached the Women's Champions League semi-finals with a 3-1 victory over Montpellier.
England forward Kirby intercepted a poor pass by Sakina Karchaoui to slot the Blues into a fourth-minute lead at Kingsmeadow before Sofia Jakobsson levelled on the night for the French side.
Kirby then set up the second for Swiss striker Ramona Bachmann early in the second period before converting a penalty following a foul on Ji So-yun as Emma Hayes' side secured a comfortable 5-1 aggregate success.
The WSL 1 champions will face Wolfsburg in the last four following the German club's 6-1 aggregate victory over Slavia Prague.
Manchester City play holders Lyon in the other semi-final, with the ties scheduled for late April.
City cruised into the semi-finals of the Women's Champions League with an emphatic 7-3 aggregate victory over Swedish side Linkopings.
Leading 2-0 from last week's home leg, City raced into a four-goal first-half lead before running out 5-3 winners on the night.
Georgia Stanway's double, sandwiched between headers from Scottish duo Jane Ross and Jennifer Beattie, put Nick Cushing's side in complete control.
A double early in the second period from Marija Banusic, including one from the penalty spot, salvaged some pride for the hosts.
City, aiming for a first European trophy, restored their three-goal lead when Izzy Christiansen volleyed home Nikita Parris' cross, before Tove Almqvist pulled another one back for the Swedish champions.
Cushing's team will face Lyon in the last four after the French side overcame Barcelona 3-1 on aggregate later on Wednesday.
PA
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