MANCHESTER UNITED CRASHED to a 3-0 defeat by Lyon after being comprehensively outplayed by the Champions League heavyweights at Leigh Sports Village.
Melchie Dumornay struck twice and Tabitha Chawinga was also on target as the eight-time champions of Europe secured second place in the league-phase table.
It took 11 minutes for the visitors to break the deadlock when Ingrid Syrstad Engen crossed after a driving run by Ada Hegerberg, enabling Chawinga to head home.
United’s defense were caught flat-footed for the opener and later in the half it was their finishing that was subpar as Melvine Malard headed high over the crossbar despite a pinpoint cross by Hinata Miyazawa.
Malard’s attempt was her side’s first touch in the area in 39 minutes of action.
United boss Marc Skinner brought on Julia Zigiotti Olme, Ella Toone and Jess Park for the second half in the hope of inspiring a turnaround from his side.
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Park was busy around the edge of the box and while more time was being spent in Lyon territory, they were still unable to put the visitors’ goal under any pressure.
Lyon should have added a second in the 78th minute when the dangerous Dumornay escaped down the right only for Jule Brand to drive her shot straight to keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
The French club surged further ahead just two minutes later, however, when Dumornay found the top right corner of the net with magnificent strike.
And Dumornay delivered the final indignity for United when she produced a cool finish in the closing moments.
Meanwhile, holders Barcelona shrugged off the absence of Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati to win in the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday as Chelsea coasted to victory.
Reigning three-time winners Barcelona maintained control of the league phase standings with a 3-1 home win over Benfica.
With Bonmati sidelined with a leg fracture, Ewa Pajor put Barca into an early lead only for Chandra Davidson to level for the Portuguese visitors seconds after the break.
Christy Ucheibe’s own goal followed quickly by Laia Aleixandri’s deflected shot kept Barca unbeaten ahead of next week’s closing league phase matches.
The score could have been far more lop-sided but for a sterling performance by Benfica goalkeeper Lena Pauels, including denying Alexia Putellas from the penalty spot.
English champions Chelsea moved past Juventus and into third, two points adrift, with a 6-0 rout of Roma to ensure their progress into the knock out stage.
Chelsea extended their unbeaten run in the group or league phase of the competition to 23 matches.
A goal and assist in the first half from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd set up the victory at Stamford Bridge, while Sjoeke Nusken, Maiko Hamano and Wieke Kaptein were also on target, with Lucy Bronze’s inch-perfect chip the cherry on the cake.
Paris FC have the bragging rights over their well-heeled but eliminated city neighbours Paris Saint-Germain as a 1-0 win at Norwegian side Valerenga ensured their place in the play-offs.
Fiamma’s late stunner salvaged Atletico Madrid a 2-2 draw at home to Bayern Munich.
The four highest-placed sides in the table will progress automatically to the quarter-finals with fifth to 12th entering a two-legged play-off in February to secure a last-eight berth.
Holders Arsenal ensured they will reach at least the knockout play-offs on Tuesday with a 1-0 win over Dutch side Twente
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Man United suffer big defeat to heavyweights Lyon, Chelsea rout Roma
Women’s Champions League Results
****
MANCHESTER UNITED CRASHED to a 3-0 defeat by Lyon after being comprehensively outplayed by the Champions League heavyweights at Leigh Sports Village.
Melchie Dumornay struck twice and Tabitha Chawinga was also on target as the eight-time champions of Europe secured second place in the league-phase table.
It took 11 minutes for the visitors to break the deadlock when Ingrid Syrstad Engen crossed after a driving run by Ada Hegerberg, enabling Chawinga to head home.
United’s defense were caught flat-footed for the opener and later in the half it was their finishing that was subpar as Melvine Malard headed high over the crossbar despite a pinpoint cross by Hinata Miyazawa.
Malard’s attempt was her side’s first touch in the area in 39 minutes of action.
United boss Marc Skinner brought on Julia Zigiotti Olme, Ella Toone and Jess Park for the second half in the hope of inspiring a turnaround from his side.
Park was busy around the edge of the box and while more time was being spent in Lyon territory, they were still unable to put the visitors’ goal under any pressure.
Lyon should have added a second in the 78th minute when the dangerous Dumornay escaped down the right only for Jule Brand to drive her shot straight to keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
The French club surged further ahead just two minutes later, however, when Dumornay found the top right corner of the net with magnificent strike.
And Dumornay delivered the final indignity for United when she produced a cool finish in the closing moments.
Meanwhile, holders Barcelona shrugged off the absence of Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati to win in the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday as Chelsea coasted to victory.
Reigning three-time winners Barcelona maintained control of the league phase standings with a 3-1 home win over Benfica.
With Bonmati sidelined with a leg fracture, Ewa Pajor put Barca into an early lead only for Chandra Davidson to level for the Portuguese visitors seconds after the break.
Christy Ucheibe’s own goal followed quickly by Laia Aleixandri’s deflected shot kept Barca unbeaten ahead of next week’s closing league phase matches.
The score could have been far more lop-sided but for a sterling performance by Benfica goalkeeper Lena Pauels, including denying Alexia Putellas from the penalty spot.
English champions Chelsea moved past Juventus and into third, two points adrift, with a 6-0 rout of Roma to ensure their progress into the knock out stage.
Chelsea extended their unbeaten run in the group or league phase of the competition to 23 matches.
A goal and assist in the first half from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd set up the victory at Stamford Bridge, while Sjoeke Nusken, Maiko Hamano and Wieke Kaptein were also on target, with Lucy Bronze’s inch-perfect chip the cherry on the cake.
Paris FC have the bragging rights over their well-heeled but eliminated city neighbours Paris Saint-Germain as a 1-0 win at Norwegian side Valerenga ensured their place in the play-offs.
Fiamma’s late stunner salvaged Atletico Madrid a 2-2 draw at home to Bayern Munich.
The four highest-placed sides in the table will progress automatically to the quarter-finals with fifth to 12th entering a two-legged play-off in February to secure a last-eight berth.
Holders Arsenal ensured they will reach at least the knockout play-offs on Tuesday with a 1-0 win over Dutch side Twente
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