Chelsea Ladies put one foot in Champions League semi-finals after dominant first-leg win over Rosengard

Fran Kirby, Ramona Bachmann and Gilly Flaherty were all on target as the Londoners proved too strong for their Swedish visitors

Chelsea Ladies proved too strong for their Swedish opponents (Getty)

Chelsea put one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-0 win over Rosengard in the first leg of their last-16 tie at Kingsmeadow.

Fran Kirby, Ramona Bachmann and Gilly Flaherty were all on target as the Londoners proved too strong for their Swedish visitors.

England striker Kirby rewarded Chelsea for a bright start by opening the scoring with a left-foot shot after 33 minutes and Bachmann doubled the lead against her former club after the hour.

Flaherty made certain of victory 17 minutes from time by firing home after a Kirby effort was blocked.

Manager Emma Hayes was delighted with her team's display but preached caution with the second leg still to be negotiated.

"What a performance from the team. Dominant from the start and a clean sheet to boot," she tweeted. "I’m really enjoying watching my team grow in this competition. Only half time but our confidence is growing."