Leah Williamson in action for Arsenal against Hope Powell’s Brighton in the WSL on Sunday. Photo: The FA

“IT’S half-time!” insisted Chelsea boss Emma Hayes as her side look to go again in the Champions League after losing their semi-final away leg 2-1 to Bayern Munich on Sunday.

Chelsea gifted the German outfit an early opener, the usually excellent Ann-Katrin Berger flapping Hanna Glas’s cross at Sydney Lohmann, who gratefully headed home.

And Glas cut the Blues in two after the break, the Swede given time to unleash a shot from the edge of the penalty area that flew into the net.

“Two really poor goals to concede,” said Hayes afterwards.

The Camden-born coach was, however, prepared to “take the pluses”, including a vital away goal courtesy of a flukey deflection off former Bayern skipper Melanie Leupolz.

“The lesson for our team sometimes is you don’t win the tie this round,” added Hayes, who has won the European title before as Vic Akers’ assistant at Arsenal in 2007. “We’ve got an away goal and it’s half-time. Bayern are celebrating the win, but this isn’t a single game.”
The must-win return leg is on Sunday lunchtime at Kingsmeadow, with Chelsea set to resume their bid to retain the FA Women’s Super League title away to Spurs three days later.

LOTTE TALENT

Three clean sheets, three wins and a goal made March special for Arsenal defender and lifelong Gooner Lotte Wubben-Moy (pictured).

The cherry on top was being voted WSL player of the month and getting to discuss her award and career in an online interview with Barclays football ambassador and Arsenal legend Ian Wright.

“[I’m] buzzing, Wrighty, honestly,” the 22-year-old told her childhood hero.

“Actually, I’m trying to weigh up, am I more buzzing about being player of the month or chatting to you?”

ARSENAL’S ROCK

After seeing her side lose 2-0 to a Jordan Nobbs brace at the weekend, Brighton boss Hope Powell said she would be sad to see head coach Joe Montemurro quit Arsenal.

“I believe he’s made a very difficult decision to leave, but what he’s left behind for whoever takes over, he’s done a fantastic job,” the former England manager told the Tribune.

Champions League football could well be the Australian’s legacy next term. With Vivianne Miedema and Kim Little’s goals securing a 2-0 win over West Ham in midweek, Arsenal sit three points ahead of Manchester United, their rivals for third place, with two games remaining.

“From a mathematical perspective, one win will be enough,” Montemurro said on Wednesday night. “We are in control of our destiny now and it’s purely up to us.”

Arsenal’s penultimate game of the season is away to Everton on Sunday. The match will be live on The FA Player.