Ajax 0-3 Chelsea: Player ratings as Blues take control of Champions League quarter-final

Chelsea took control of their Champions League quarter-final tie with an impressive 3-0 victory over Ajax at Johan Cruyff Arena.

Lauren James opened the scoring early on and Chelsea never looked back, with Sjoeke Nusken netting either side of half-time to secure what ended up being a comfortable win.

Guro Reiten also saw a goal ruled out for offside in a performance which will fill Chelsea with confidence ahead of the return leg.

Ajax came out with energy and had the first real sight of goal just six minutes in when Ajax's all-time top scorer Romee Leuchter struck the post with a smart strike from the edge of the box. Blues stopper Hannah Hampton was beaten.

With Chelsea struggling to get a grip on the game, up stepped James to help out once again. The superstar forward rounded Regina van Eijk and tapped into an empty net which, after the offside flag was initially raised, was eventually allowed to stand after a VAR check.

Hampton had a handful of nervy moments with the ball at her feet and was relieved not to get caught out by Lily Yohannes. The teenage midfielder, who picked up a yellow card which will see her suspended for the return fixture, couldn't control her effort and skied well over the frame of the goal.

Sjoeke Nusken should have done better with a header towards the end of the first half. Eve Perisset's free kick found her unmarked in the Ajax box but Nusken failed to keep her effort on target.

With five minutes until the break, Reiten thought she had doubled Chelsea's advantage. James' whipped cross was mis-hit by the winger, who made no mistake at the second time of asking when the ball dropped fortunately at her feet, but a lengthy VAR check ultimately decided the offside Nusken was interfering with play.

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