By Tony Leighton

Chapman's late equaliser meant Arsenal went through on away goals

Arsenal edged into the last four of the Women's Champions League on the away goals rule thanks to Katie Chapman's spectacular late equaliser in a 2-2 draw in the second leg of their quarter-final against Swedish team Linkopings.

Having been held to a 1-1 stalemate at home in the first leg, the Gunners looked to be going out of the competition with full time approaching.

Chapman's England colleague Rachel Yankey had equalised Linda Sallstrom's 16th minute opener five minutes before half-time.

A 57th-minute strike by substitute Kosovare Asllani, however, put the Swedes 3-2 ahead on aggregate.

But 11 minutes from time a stunning goal out of the blue, a 30-yard drive into the top corner of the net by midfielder Chapman, took Arsenal through.

Manager Laura Harvey said: "We always seems to make it hard for ourselves and tonight was no different.

"After Katie's fantastic goal the last 10 minutes were a bit hairy and I was relieved to hear the final whistle.

We'll be the underdogs against Lyon, but that might suit us because we seem to be better when the chips are down Arsenal manager Laura Harvey

"We're into the last four though, and if we can get to the final it will be great for the English women's game because the match is being played in London."

The final is set to be staged at Fulham's Craven Cottage on 26 May, two days before the men's Champions League final takes place at Wembley.

To reach what would be their second Euro final in four years, however, the Gunners must overcome last season's runners-up Olympique Lyonnais.

The French champions lost the 2010 final on penalties to Potsdam, who will defend their crown at Fulham if they beat Everton's quarter-final opponents Duisburg in the second of the semi-finals.

Harvey said: "We'll be the underdogs against Lyon, but that might suit us because we seem to be better when the chips are down."

Natasha Dowie scored Everton's only goal in the first leg against Duisburg

Everton bowed out of the Women's Champions League after a 2-1 quarter-final second-leg defeat at Duisburg gave the German team a 5-2 aggregate win.

Holding a two-goal advantage from the first leg on Merseyside, Duisburg effectively ended the tie as a contest with a 22nd-minute strike by Simone Laudehr.

As Mo Marley's team hit back, both central defender Fern Whelan and midfielder Jill Scott had goalbound efforts blocked.

But the Germans stretched their lead in the 79th minute, Inka Grings scoring from the penalty spot following a foul by Whelan.

Everton's consolation goal was scored by striker Gwennan Harries three minutes into stoppage time.

Manager Marley said: "We went out to attack and get the goals we needed to pull the tie back, but we were a bit too eager and rushed in our play.

"So although I felt we played quite well and had lots of possession, we didn't have our usual fluency and in the end that cost us."

Everton's disappointment at going out of the competition is exacerbated by the fact that they are unable to qualify for next season's Champions League.

England's two representatives will be this season's FA Cup finalists and the Toffees - last season's winners - were knocked out by Arsenal in the fifth round.

Marley, whose team have been in Europe for the last three seasons, said: "We deserve to be in the Champions League because we've proved we can compete at this level.

"We've become recognised as one of Europe's top teams but right now that doesn't mean much because we're not going to be in the competition next season.

"We'll be stronger for this year's experience though and we'll be doing everything we can to make sure we're back for the 2012-2013 Champions League."

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