Birmingham beat Arsenal to reach Champions League semis

Sunday 30 Mar 2014
Kirsty Linnett was on the scoresheet at The Hive

Birmingham City defeated FA WSL rivals Arsenal over two legs to make it through to the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final for the first time in their history.

Debutant Remi Allen’s goal had given David Parker’s side a 1-0 first-leg lead.

Kirsty Linnett doubled the Blues’ advantage 25 minutes into the second leg at The Hive.

And the last-eight tie was effectively over when Allen added a second away goal just after the half-hour mark, converting Karen Carney’s cross.

2007 winners Arsenal were unable to mount a comeback, despite dominating the second half, and Birmingham will now face Swedish champions Tyresö in a two-legged semi-final next month.

Both sides get their WSL campaigns under way on Wednesday 16 April when Birmingham entertain Everton and the Gunners travel to Notts County.

By Glenn Lavery