Blues boss Emma Hayes made six changes to the side that beat Manchester City in the Women’s Super League on Sunday and warned not to expect a similar thrashing as the one dished out in Switzerland last week.
“We got three points and a clean sheet and we are top of the group,” said Hayes. “The first half was nowhere near our standards, it improved second half but Servette made it difficult for us.
“The Champions League is full of top teams from their respective countries, so we shouldn’t be surprised. But when you win by such a large margin [previously] that can happen – we have won it and we will focus on the positives and go from there.”
Kirby forced goalkeeper Ines Pereira into an early save with her feet and Beth England flicked a low corner across the face of goal after the break as the hosts threatened.
But the Swiss champions were proving far more resilient and had a half chance of their own when left-back Monica Mendes saw her smart backheel saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Zecira Musovic.
Australian Kerr opened the scoring soon after, collecting Kirby’s pass, nut-megging a defender and firing into the bottom corner from just inside the penalty area.
Chelsea remained in control and Soulard’s dismissal for a second booking paved the way for further chances, with substitute Lauren James scooping one over the crossbar.