Emma Hayes hopes for a strong crowd turnout for Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge battle with Barcelona
EMMA HAYES wants Chelsea fans to pack out Stamford Bridge after her battling Blues stunned Barcelona in the Champions League.
And the Kingsmeadow boss played down their monumental 1-0 first-leg semis win with Barca beaten in their backyard.
It was the first time in five years that the queens of the women's domestic game in Spain had tasted defeat on their turf.
A trademark thunderbolt strike from Erin Cuthbert preceded by a deft assist from Sjoeke Nusken put her side a closer to reaching the contest’s final for the second time.
They came close to snatching a second goal through Mayra Ramirez who blazed a shot high after being closed down by Barca defenders.
But for Hayes, whose side have kept silverware double hopes alive in her final weeks as Chelsea boss, the result is a half-time advantage in the tie.
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The Blues chief said: “Nobody should get carried away with that. It's just half-time.
“To be honest with you, I'm disappointed we didn't get the second goal, so I'm a little frustrated.
“But it's a difficult place to come. They carried out the game plan and everything I'd asked him to do so from that perspective, I'm happy.
“A lot of teams come here and go one, two (goals) down here very early on so you have to ride that.
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“They have unbelievable players, they're world class in everything they do.
"You have to expect they're going to create chances, but I think for the most part, we limited them."
Next Saturday's second leg could see a record turnout for a Women's Champions League game at Stamford Bridge.
Hayes added: “We will only be as strong as the crowd that comes out.
"It's important for us that we pack Stamford Bridge out to give ourselves half a chance against the best team in the world.
"We are at half-time, and I believe there is another level in Barcelona."
Having lifted the Champions League trophy twice in the last three years the league leaders of Spain were the favourites coming into this game.
However, Hayes’ aces had other ideas.
Despite their hosts attacking swiftly and Caroline Graham Hansen firing a shot straight at Hannah Hampton in the eighth minute, the visitors grew into the game.
They had just one shot on target in an enthralling first half with Barca dominating possession early on.
They netted that in the 40th minute with Cuthbert firing in a class top corner finish after Nusken twisted and turned her markers near the edge of the box.
There were a few moments of penalty drama later on.
First through Barca seeing a spot-kick ruled out following the ball striking Kadeisha Buchanan’s arm in the box in the 51st minute.
A VAR check resulted in the pen being disallowed after Salma Paralluelo was spotted offside.
The visitors thought they had a pen of their own when Ramirez went down inside the box 11 minutes later.
The Colombia striker, who ran her markers ragged, was kicked by Irene Paredes during a battle for the ball.
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Ramirez had a glorious chance to double Chelsea's lead with 16 minutes remaining before blazing over under pressure from defenders in the box.
And Paraluello volleyed wide from six yards out late on before Alexia Putellas fired off target at close range before Chelsea clinched a memorable victory.