The Dutch star came off the bench at half-time to score twice and put Nick Cushing's side in control of their Champions League quarter-final
Manchester City are on course for the last four of the Champions League after inflicting Chelsea's first defeat of the season on Wednesday night, triumphing 2-0 in the quarter-final first leg courtesy of a Vivianne Miedema brace. City started the game brightly with Mary Fowler at the heart of everything early on for the hosts, who were out for revenge after their weekend League Cup defeat to the Blues.
Lily Murphy was also causing Chelsea a few problems down the left flank as City dominated the first half but lacked the cutting edge in attack to find the breakthrough. Their interim boss Nick Cushing sent on Miedema at half-time in search of goal and it proved an excellent change as the 28-year-old went on to break the deadlock on the hour.
Fowler's cross was headed goalward by Laia Aleixandri and parried onto the bar by Hampton, only for the ball to fall kindly to an unmarked Miedema at the far post to emphatically knock home via a touch off the crossbar.
Chelsea ramped up the pressure late on, as Mayra Ramirez saw a goal disallowed for offside and substitute Johanna Rytting Kaneryd rattled the frame of the goal with a powerful drive. Yet it was the hosts who doubled their lead in the dying minutes. Kerolin hared down the right again before playing the ball in to Miedema to sweep home her second of the night and put City in control of the tie ahead of the return at Stamford Bridge next Thursday.
GOAL rates Manchester City's players from the Joie Stadium
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Ayaka Yamashita (8/10):
Confidently dealt with everything that came her way. Really important save late on to deny Kaptein and preserve her clean sheet.
Kerstin Casparij (6/10):
Handed Chelsea a chance in the first half after giving the ball away in a dangerous area but otherwise did OK. Some good moments going forwards, too.
Gracie Prior (7/10):
Another solid showing from the 20-year-old, who barely put a foot wrong.
Laia Aleixandri (8/10):
Enjoyed another good battle against Mayra Ramírez and did a great job. A fine header forced Hampton into a save before Miedema scored and she made a great block on Bronze late on as well.
Leila Ouahabi (5/10):
Some wobbly moments defensively and struggled against Chelsea's pace on the counter.
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Yui Hasegawa (8/10)
Really strong showing and was influential in the win. Always on the move and all of City's best attacks came through her.
Jill Roord (6/10):
Kept trying to get City going forwards. Had some sights of goal but her efforts were fairly tame.
Jess Park (7/10):
Was a willing runner and covered so much ground. Found more space in the second half which helped City offer more threat.
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Kerolin (7/10):
Had a quiet first half but was much more of a threat after the break with her direct runs down the right.
Lily Murphy (6/10):
Looked really dangerous down the left in the first period but wasn't involved enough. Hooked at half-time for Miedema.
Mary Fowler (7/10):
Was involved in all of City's best attacks. Played a role in the opener with a great ball into the box and worked tirelessly.
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Vivianne Miedema (9/10):
Came on at half-time and made the difference. Scored the opener and netted another late on with a classy finish that could prove crucial.
Laura Coombs (6/10):
Came on and will have enjoyed a victory over her former side.
Laura Blindkilde Brown (N/A)
A late sub.
Nick Cushing (8/10):
Had his team fired up after their disappointment at the weekend. Bringing on Miedema at half-time was a great call as she took the game by the scruff of the neck and scored twice.
