Arsenal leave it late, Chelsea hold on and City fight back in Europe
Arsenal needed a 95th-minute penalty to win. Chelsea needed one goal to hold on. Manchester City needed a comeback from 2-0 down.
England's three clubs all survived the opening round of the Women's Champions League league phase, but none of it was simple. Arsenal and Chelsea took three points each from narrow home wins, while City drew 2-2 away at Bayern Munich, according to BBC Sport.
Arsenal left it latest of all against Danish side HB Koge. The winner came from the penalty spot in the 95th minute after a night of frustration in front of goal.
The numbers tell that story. Arsenal created 1.93 expected goals, a measure of chance quality, yet managed only two shots on target. They kept pushing. They finally got the break.
Chelsea's night was tighter than expected against Austria Vienna. Wieke Kaptein scored the goal that settled it, but the visitors hit the post and finished with more shots than the home side.
It fits a pattern for Chelsea. They had conceded only one goal in four matches this season at the time of reporting. Solid at one end, and this time one moment at the other was enough.
City produced the most drama. They trailed 2-0 at Bayern Munich and still left Germany with a point.
Beth Mead scored her first goal for the club to start the fightback. Carlotta Wamser then scored her first City goal too. Khadija Shaw missed a penalty along the way, which makes the draw feel like both a rescue and a missed chance.
Elsewhere, the favourites showed their teeth. Barcelona and Lyon were last season's finalists, and Lyon opened with an 8-0 win away at Servette in Switzerland.
Marie-Antoinette Katoto scored a hat-trick in that rout. Eight goals away from home sends its own message to the rest of the field.
What makes this stand out is the contrast. Three English sides, three very different evenings, all still unbeaten. Arsenal found a way late, Chelsea leaned on a strong defence, City showed fight on the road while Lyon reminded everyone of the standard at the top.
