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James and Malard send Chelsea to brink of Women's Champions League

Chelsea's Lauren James celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Ellie Carpenter
Chelsea's Lauren James celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Ellie Carpenter Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Chelsea took a big step towards securing their spot in the Women's Champions League proper on Wednesday as they cruised past Real Sociedad 5-2 in the first leg of their third qualifying round tie.

If the Blues can avoid a shock result next Wednesday in the Basque country they will join fellow English sides Arsenal and Manchester City, as well as reigning champions Barcelona in the 18-team league phase.

With Sociedad holding Chelsea to a surprise 2-2 scoreline heading into the final 25 minutes in London, new signing Melvine Malard netted a brace either side of a Lauren James goal to put the hosts in control.

Wolfsburg have one foot in the league phase after goals from Lara Prasnikar and Camilla Kuever gave them a 2-0 home win over 10-woman Inter Milan.

Real Madrid beat Ajax by the same scoreline in the Netherlands courtesy of strikes from Felicia Schroeder and Janou Levels.

Juventus were 3-0 victors in Austria gainst St. Poelten.

Paris Saint-Germain held four-time champions Eintracht Frankfurt to a 1-1 draw in Germany, while HB Koge of Denmark earned themselves a 1-0 advantage in their tie with PSV Eindhoven.

Belgians OH Leuven all but secured their spot with a 4-1 victory at Polish side Czarni Sosnowiec and Sparta Prague's meeting with Servette also produced five goals, the Czechs taking a 3-2 advantage to Switzerland for next week's second leg.

On Tuesday, Brann of Norway beat Austria Vienna 2-1 in Bergen.