Celtic 1-2 Chelsea – Joy turns to Pride, Ghirls rattle English Champions

The Celtic Star

·14 November 2024

Celtic 1-2 Chelsea – Joy turns to Pride, Ghirls rattle English Champions

Celtic FC Women pushed Chelsea all the way in the UEFA Women’s Champions League at Celtic Park last night…

Celtic team line up for the Champions League anthem. Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

However despite the Ghirls’ brilliant efforts in a match that they contested from the first to the last minute and had the five time English Champions holding on desperately at the end, the Hoops just couldn’t force the equaliser that they would have deserved.

Video OneFootball

7,390 supporters at Celtic Park

Celtic gave the crowd of 7,390 plenty to roar about as with 22 minutes on the clock, Elena Sadiku’s side took the lead in fine style, playing football the Glasgow Celtic way.

Celtic team photo. Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Brilliant assist from Amy Gallacher

Amy Gallacher sent a brilliant ball through to Murphy Agnew, and the American did a fine job fighting off a defender before cooly slotting it past Musovic in the Chelsea goals. It was Murphy’s birthday during the week and what a gift she delivered for the Celtic support who with the Paradise Champions League roar being heard in the East End of Glasgow for the second midweek in a row.

Goal Celtic! And the scorer number 12, Murphy Agnew!!!! Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Murphy Agnew scores for Celtic. Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Goal Celtic! And the scorer number 12, Murphy Agnew!!!! Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

The moment we made another piece of history here at Paradise 😅 #CelticChelsea | #UWCL | #CelticFC🍀
– Rabu, 13 November 2024

Chelsea scrambled an equaliser then took the lead

Six minutes later, Maika Hamano scrambled an equalised for the Blues and despite Celtic’s best efforts, Ashley Laurence gave the English Champions the lead shortly after.

But the Ghirls kept pushing and the Celtic support kept believing. Shortly before the break, a fine pass from the midfield almost sent Celtic through on goal. The goalkeeper managed to come off her line and grab it, leaving the Scottish champions down from a one-goal deficit at half-time.

Kelsey Daugherty was fabulous as always

The second half got underway and Celtic were doing well to press the London side. Our opponents were showing their quality though but thankfully, Kelsey Daugherty was putting in a fantastic performance.

The brilliant Celtic End – Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

With 70 minutes on the clock, Chelsea shot from inside of the box. Daugherty could’ve been caught slightly off her line but dived back and tipped it over the bar.

Celtic penalty claim?

The resulting corner was defended well and two minutes later. Caitlin Hayes sent a ball right to the frontline. Substitute Saoirse Noonan headed it onto Lucy Ashworth-Clifford, who sprinted towards goal. She made it inside the box and, despite being grabbed at by a defender, broke through and sent the ball across goal. There was no attacker to latch onto it.

YNWA on Champions League night at Paradise – Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Pushed on Celtic support

Pushed on by this amazing Celtic support, the Ghirls kept pushing, desperately searching for an equaliser. Celya Barclais moved it out to Ashworth-Clifford on the wing, and the winger opted to cross it to the near post. Morgan Cross was lurking but the goalkeeper got to it as another chance went by.

YNWA on Champions League night at Paradise – Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

And Chelsea pushed up the other end with a dangerous-looking attack. The Chelsea star shot from outside of the box but Daugherty was ready, making a big save to keep Celtic in the game. The visitors managed to get on the rebound and start to attack again.

It looked scary as a Chelsea attacker was lurking over the goalkeeper, ready to pounce on a cross. The attacker was set to receive it and as the ball looked destined to rustle the net, Daugherty made her best save of the night to deny the Blues from close range.

Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Celtic pressing Chelsea hard

Two minutes later and the Celts were back on the attack. A looped ball was sent through and Morgan Cross managed to get to it. She held it up and tried to knock it to substitute Noonan, but the striker couldn’t break through and had to leave it to go out for a goal kick.

It was starting to get heated in the closing stages with players going to ground. A potential Celtic attack looked promising shortly after, it was snuffed out as the referee blew for a foul on a Chelsea player.

The Ghirls show their appreciation for the support. Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

But the call went the other way soon as, in the final minute of added time, Aggie Beever-Jones took down Colette Cavanagh. Play was allowed to continue for a few seconds with Celtic breaking but was pulled back by the referee. Beever-Jones was given a second yellow card for the challenge and sent off.

The whistle was blown shortly after, bringing to an end a great Celtic attempt at picking up their first point in the Champions League.

Elena Sadiku’s thoughts

Speaking to the media including of course The Celtic Star, after the game, Elena Sadiku said: “I think I’ve said it from the start, this is the first time Celtic are competing in the Champions League. We just take this competition as great learning but also, watching back that performance, I’m gutted now that we didn’t get anything from it. It just shows that hunger we have and hopefully, we can take this with us further into the competition.

The Ghirls show their appreciation for the support. Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

“[Getting Celtic’s first ever group stage goal] at Paradise is very special. Really like to create history with this team.”

Praise from Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor

Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor also gave Sadiku’s side props for the performance: “Tonight, [Celtic] showed a lot of heart and they played with a lot of energy. We were expecting that, they’re really motivated.

“Game from game, they are brave and confident enough to play. They could maybe tonight look at us and say maybe we’re one of the best teams in Europe and be a little bit freaked out about that, but that wasn’t the case and they played with a lot of heart. Physically good, they played extra time on Sunday [against Glasgow City]but they were still able to show tonight they were winning duels and playing from the beginning until the end of the game with a lot of energy.

Caitlin Hayes and Elena Sadiku at Paradise. Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

“Lots of credit to Celtic [for the atmosphere]. Really nice stadium, really nice atmosphere, good pitch. For the women’s game, tonight was the perfect night. We really enjoyed it and congratulations to the Celtic fans and all of the crowd.”

Emma Lawton looking for points

Emma Lawton also spoke after the game, saying: “Our aim is to try and get points on the board. We’ve learned so much in such a short space of time so we think hopefully we can do that over these next three games.

“We’ll analyse this game and see where we can do better. See where they’ll change or where we’ll change [for the game at Stamford Bridge]. Try and give the same level of performance next week.”

Elena Sadiku speaking to Celtic TV after the match. Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Some Context

Next up for the Ghirls is a crucial date with theRangers on Sunday afternoon in the SWPL1 before heading to Stamford Bridge. Some context on this result, this Chelsea team beat both Real Madrid and Arsenal at the Emirates comfortably, while Arsenal played theRangers in the Champions League qualifiers and won 6-0.

This was a Celtic side that played 120 minutes of football in the late kick-off on Sunday afternoon against Glasgow City in the Sky Sports Cup. Sandwiched between the two games against Chelsea, who along with Barcelona are the favourites for the UWCL this season, Celtic get a crucial Glasgow Derby against theRangers.

Yet last night they pushed Chelsea all the way and are increasing looking like a team comfortable at this elite level of women’s football.

Celtic v Chelsea, UWCL, Wednesday 13 November 2024. Celtic Park. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Great atmosphere, great support

Well done to the 7390 supporters who gave 100% backing to the team last night. Now we have played all three teams we get to do it again and this time we’ve a point or three to prove.

Here are last night’s match highlights. You’ll love that Celtic goal…

Come on You Ghirls in Green!

Jessica Elliott