Vivianne Miedema revels in Manchester City's 'special' Champions League win over Chelsea - 'This should be our standard'

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Vivianne Miedema praised Manchester City as they bounced back from their League Cup final defeat to Chelsea by beating The Blues 2-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final. The striker came off the bench to score both goals. She said the club have now set "our standard" for the remainder of the campaign, but Chelsea's Lucy Bronze insisted the tie is far from over.

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Vivianne Miedema believes Manchester City have set the benchmark for the rest of the season after their UEFA Women's Champions League 2-0 win over Chelsea.

The striker came off the bench to score both goals in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.

It means Nick Cushing's side bounced back from their 2-1 defeat to the same opposition in the League Cup final on Saturday.

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After what was considered a particularly galling afternoon for City, Miedema was delighted with a much-improved performance.

"I think this should be our standard," she told TNT Sports. "Obviously we were really disappointed after the game on Saturday.

"We've had some special Champions League nights here, and I think this one really sums it all up.

"We've been getting a lot of hits and knocks everywhere. We are missing a lot of players. I'm just really happy that we actually got this result today.

"It gives us confidence, and hopefully we can take that into the game on Sunday [when the two teams meet again in the WSL], and obviously next Thursday as well."

Miedema is still making her way back from a serious knee injury, and in a bid to manage her game time, she started the match on the bench.

She certainly made her mark when called upon at half-time though, getting all three of her shots on target.

Two of them went in, to take her tally to 31 goals in just 35 appearances in the Women's Champions League.

"I did feel well, but I'm not ay the stage yet where I can go four times 90 minutes," she continued.

"So we spoke about it and I'm really happy that I came on in the second half and I could help the team.

On her goal record in the competition, she added: "It's not bad to be honest! I think we all want to play Champions League.

"It's something we're fighting for in the league still for next year. Today is special, obviously with the fans there as well. Hopefully we can put in the same performance next week."

Bronze backs Chelsea to bounce back

The defeat ends Chelsea's 31-match unbeaten run, a record that stretched back to last season.

It is also, therefore, a first loss for manager Sonia Bompastor, who replaced Emma Hayes in the summer and had won 26 of her 28 matches at the helm.

Such form had got tongues wagging of the club winning an unprecedented quadruple this season.

With the League Cup already in their back pocket, an FA Cup semi-final to look forward to and an eight-point lead in the WSL, it is easy to see why such expectations have been put upon them.

But that dream of lifting every trophy available to them is dangling in a precarious position thanks to this defeat.

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Defender Lucy Bronze, a former Manchester City player, admitted Chelsea fell well short of what was expected of them.

"I just don't think that we were good enough," she reflected. "I don't think we had enough effort in our press. We were really sloppy in our passing.

"I think City were probably better organised. I think we were miles off our game. Sonia said that at half time.

"I think it improved a little bit in the second half, but then obviously that's when they got in and got the goals. That's what football is. You have ups and downs.

"We've had a fantastic first half of the season and obviously everybody ups their game when they play Chelsea now, because they want to be the first team to beat us. That's obviously happened today.

"We just have to go back, be better for the weekend and for the next game, and although we're 2-0 down, we're completely confident that we can turn this around."

The return leg takes place at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, March 27.

Chelsea know they have to come from behind if they are to keep their dream of lifting the Women's Champions League title for the first time alive.

"I think it'll be the biggest game of the season so far," Bronze continued.

"Obviously we're doing really well in the league. We have to focus on that game at the weekend. Back to London, then back up to Manchester for the weekend, but it's all still to play for.

"We know we can score goals. We've got goals in so many players, all over the pitch. Hopefully we can be a lot better next week and win the game, score a few goals and get through to the semi-final."

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