da fazobetai： Emma Hayes' side still have a chance of a quadruple but they're likely to face a tough meeting with European champions Barcelona in the last four

da brwin： Chelsea are now just two games away from a second UEFA Women's Champions League final after defeating Ajax 4-1 on aggregate in the last eight, with a semi-final clash against holders Barcelona likely to be set up tomorrow evening. The Blues were in total control of the tie ahead of the second leg at Stamford Bridge, having won 3-0 in Amsterdam – and it was a good job, too, because they were dealt some scares on home soil in an eventual 1-1 draw on Wednesday night.

As manager Emma Hayes had predicted in midweek, Ajax played with freedom given how little they had to lose and it was they who went closest to breaking the deadlock in the early stages. Sherida Spitse's header landed on the top of the net, Romee Leuchter fired just wide and Tiny Hoekstra nearly found herself on the scoresheet when Chelsea goalkeeper Zecira Musovic slammed a clearance against her, only for the ball to trickle just past the post.

But Chelsea started to give as good as they got as the game went on and after Erin Cuthbert, Aggie Beever-Jones and Guro Reiten had all come close, it was Mayra Ramirez who broke the deadlock with a cool finish through the legs of Ajax goalkeeper Regina van Eijk. However, the Dutch side played well and didn't deserve to lose, even if their eventual equaliser, scored by Chasity Grant, should've been saved by Musovic.

Chelsea were comfortably through after a devastating first leg, though, and a tantalising semi-final clash with Barcelona now looms for the second-successive season. The European champions are 2-1 up against Norwegian side Brann ahead of the second leg in Catalunya tomorrow evening and while the Blues will need to be much better than this if they want to reach the Champions League final, their dream of bidding farewell to Hayes by winning the one trophy that has eluded her is still well and truly alive.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Stamford Bridge…

GettyGoalkeeper & Defence

Zecira Musovic (5/10):

Had some shaky moments on the ball and should've saved Ajax's equaliser. Made amends with a couple of superb saves.

Eve Perisset (5/10):

Generally defended well throughout the first half but got sloppy as the game went on and was caught out a little for the goal.

Jess Carter (5/10):

Nearly let Ajax score after a poor headed clearance in the first half and generally looked a bit uncomfortable at the back.

Kadeisha Buchanan (5/10):

Also shaky on the ball at times and struggled when Ajax's forwards ran at her, especially in the first half. Did step up with a few big interventions at the back to even things out a little.

Ashley Lawrence (6/10):

Mopped up some dangerous attacks and got forward well, too, though lacked end product.

AdvertisementGettyMidfield

Sophie Ingle (7/10):

Calm on the ball in an understated but classy display, though her influence waned in the second half.

Erin Cuthbert (8/10):

Played a wild pass that nearly let Ajax in in the first period but otherwise ran the show in midfield, dictating play with confidence and being a nuisance out of possession.

Fran Kirby (6/10):

Played her part in a lively attack without stealing the show. Worked hard off the ball.

Attack

Aggie Beever-Jones (8/10):

Absolutely electric all night. She'll be disappointed that she let a couple of chances go begging but this was a fantastic performance. Those calls for an England call-up are only going to grow.

Mayra Ramirez (8/10):

Although she was the focal point of the attack, and took her goal well, she also created plenty of chances for others with some nice passes. Close control was superb.

Guro Reiten (6/10):

Some nice touches and clever passes to carve out opportunities. Should've scored midway through the first half but fired wide.

Subs & Manager

Catarina Macario (5/10):

Part of a triple sub with around 25 minutes to play. Held the ball up well and played her part in possession, but couldn't continue her goal-scoring ways despite a decent chance one-on-one.

Sjoeke Nusken (5/10):

Not easy to come off the bench and settle in at centre-back and although she didn't do much wrong herself, she couldn't make the defence more settled.

Jelena Cankovic (5/10):

Couldn't really get involved.

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (6/10):

Injected energy into the attack when she replaced a tired Beever-Jones for the final 15 minutes.

Emma Hayes (7/10):

Warned against complacency in the build-up to this second leg and picked an XI that reflected that attitude, while still giving some players a rest. Was some shakiness at the back that she couldn't rectify with Nusken's introduction, though. That will need to be addressed ahead of Sunday's Continental Cup final clash with Arsenal.