RAMPANT Chelsea demolished Benfica in a FIVE goal romp – with Fran Kirby hitting twice to become the club’s all-time record scorer.
The Blues strike sensation has now found the net 70 times for the West Londoners, despite being dogged with injuries and illness for the past year.
Fran Kirby hit a brace against Benfica to become Chelsea’s all-time record scorerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
It was a perfect day in the office for the Blues after they made it a 5-0 rout against Benfica the first-leg of the round of 32Credit: Getty Images – Getty
She stormed past Chelsea legend Eni Aluko’s tally of 68, even after being told she may never play football again due to a rare heart condition.
Millie Bright, Pernille Harder and Beth England also made the score-sheet with Guro Reiten adding three assists in a perfect first leg of the round of 32.
Boss Emma Hayes roared: “Everyday I think is a precious day and taking things one day at a time I think is helping Fran.
“She’ll do whatever’s needed to get a result,
“And I think that’s one of the reasons why so much goes in for her, because of the contributions she’s making to the whole, it’s not a surprise to me.
“Fran knows what I think about her. That’s what I will say.
“And she knows that with the performances she keeps putting in that the rewards will come for her whatever they are.
“I think we have a tendency to build players up so much and then put them under excruciating pressure, and then kick them when they’re on the way down.
“The important thing to say about Fran is that we’re at a nice level place and that’s where we’re going to remain.”
Ji So-Yun set up Beth England for the West Londoners’ fifth goal Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Guro Reiten added THREE assists against the Portuguese sideCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The visitors burst out the traps with Harder breaking free on the left flank to find space amid Benfica’s leaky backline and tee up England.
England flicked back to Kirby who kept a cool head to tap in just 80 SECONDS in.
Hayes’ side continued to open fire in front of Carolina Vilao’s goal, with England stinging the Portuguese stopper’s feet with a rasping effort.
And it was only a matter of time before they doubled their lead.
The second breakthrough arrived when Guro Reiten stood up the most inviting of deliveries on the half-hour mark.
She sent her free-kick dipping and curling with Millie Bright and England tussling to get on the end of it – but it was Bright who came out on top to make the crucial touch.
Just three minutes later Kirby added to the first-half demolition thanks to assist queen Reiten.
The Norwegian star sent a peach of a pass onto the Chelsea striker’s path for her to rifle home.
Harder completed the West Londoners’ demolition after rising highest from Reiten’s inch-perfect corner to head home on the stroke of half-time.
England tucked into the goal fest after the break after slotting home from Ji So-Yun’s cute through ball.
The host’s misery was complete when Christy Ucheibe was sent packing after picking up a second yellow for clattering into Erin Cuthbert.
Harder could have made it six before her shot was snaffled up by Vilao.
Ann-Katrin Berger made a genuinely world class stop to deny Cloe Lacasse a late consolation in the dying moments.
But it is worth remembering that Benfica are debutants on the European stage having only formed a women’s side for two-years.
⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard confirms Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi will each miss two weeks with injuries
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
