Drew Spence’s early goal helped Chelsea beat Bayern Munich 1-0 in the first leg of their Women’s Champions League last-32 tie at Kingsmeadow. Spence tapped home a low cross from Ramona Bachmann following a swift counter-attack in the 10th minute.
The German club, European quarter-finalists in 2016-17, squandered several chances to score an away goal in a second half which saw them clearly on top. They were denied by the woodwork and some fine saves from Hedvig Lindahl as the Blues took a slim lead into Wednesday’s return leg. She tipped Nicole Rösler’s effort over the bar in the first half before denying Dominika Skorvankova from close range in the second.
Melanie Leupolz, Fridolina Rolfo and former the Germany player Melanie Behringer also went close for the Germans.
Elsewhere goals from Demi Stokes, Steph Houghton and Nikita Parris gave Manchester City a 3-0 win at the Austrian side SKN St Polten. City were three up at half-time and cruised through the second half to give Nick Cushing’s side a big advantage going into next Thursday’s second leg.