Chelsea recovered from an unconvincing start to beat Real Sociedad 5-2 in the first leg of their Women’s Champions League third qualifying-round tie. The result gives the Blues a three-goal advantage before next week’s return match, while debutant Melvine Malard’s two late goals provided a strong finish after the Spanish side had twice threatened an upset.

Real Sociedad took an early lead through Ainhoa Marín before Naomi Girma levelled from a corner around the half-hour mark. Veerle Buurman put Chelsea ahead in the 54th minute, but Cecilia Marcos quickly equalised; Malard then scored twice, either side of Lauren James’ close-range goal, to seal the win. Chelsea were without suspended manager Sonia Bompastor and were playing their first cup match at AFC Wimbledon’s Cherry Red Records Stadium following their move from Kingsmeadow.