Another set of acceptable margins defined the Women’s League Cup semi-finals as Chelsea and Manchester United edged past Manchester City and Arsenal to secure their places in the final.
With changes due to come into effect next season that will see Champions League clubs removed from the competition, this year’s tournament carries added significance. It represents the final opportunity for Europe’s leading sides to lift the League Cup in its current format and the last realistic chance for a club to pursue a domestic quadruple.
Chelsea progressed with a 1-0 win over Manchester City in a semi-final that once again highlighted their ability to manage high-pressure knockout matches. Wieke Kaptein’s header just before half-time proved decisive on a night when City created the clearer chances.
The match marked Lauren James’ 100th appearance for Chelsea.
City were dominant for long spells and came close on several occasions. Vivianne Miedema and Kerstin Casparij both struck the post. At the same time, Khadija Shaw was denied an open goal after rounding goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, only for Sandy Baltimore to make a crucial last-ditch intervention. Hampton was kept busy throughout the second half, producing important saves to deny Miedema and Yui Hasegawa as City pressed for an equaliser.
Chelsea, by contrast, created fewer openings but were clinical when it mattered, defending resolutely to see out the match.
Manchester City head coach Andree Jeglertz said: “Of course, we are extremely disappointed. I think we deserved a better result. When we look at it afterwards with the players, we should be so proud of the performance because we created enough chances to win the game and played very well overall.”
“We don’t have the small details with us, but hopefully we will have that in 10 days when we play them again,” he added. “The players feel that how we are playing at the moment is on a very high level.”
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor acknowledged her side benefited from some fortune but praised their defensive resilience. “It never gets boring, and it’s an excellent habit reaching finals,” she said. “I am really proud of my players to come here and keep a clean sheet against this team with so much talent.”
“In some parts of the game, we got a bit lucky. We conceded two posts, but most of the game we were strong defensively and showed resilience as a team,” Bompastor added. “To be in another final is a new opportunity to grab a title.”
Chelsea have now reached the League Cup final in each of the last seven seasons since 2019-20, the longest run in the competition’s history. The win provides a timely boost ahead of their Women’s Super League fixture against Arsenal this weekend. City, who hold a six-point lead over Chelsea in the league, will have the chance to respond when the sides meet again at the Etihad Stadium in 10 days.
In the other semi-final, Manchester United reached their first League Cup final with a 1-0 victory away at Arsenal, ending the hosts’ hopes of adding to their record seven titles.
The decisive moment came in the first half when Arsenal goalkeeper Anneke Borbe played a misplaced pass out from the back, allowing Ellen Wangerheim to intercept and square for Elisabeth Terland to finish from close range.
The goal followed a half in which Terland had also been denied a penalty after being knocked to the ground by Katie McCabe inside the Arsenal penalty area.
Arsenal dominated possession but again struggled for composure in the final third, registering 21 shots but only three on target. Their task became more difficult just after the hour when Olivia Smith was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Zigiotti Olme, reducing the hosts to 10 players.
Smith, who had been Arsenal’s main creative outlet, is expected to serve a suspension that will carry into the league, ruling her out of Saturday’s WSL fixture against Chelsea.
At full-time, Arsenal manager Renee Slegers declined to shake hands with a member of the Manchester United backroom staff, reflecting the frustration of the evening.
Speaking afterwards, Slegers said of Smith: “She is gutted. She feels like she let her team down. We will pick her up tomorrow. I can understand the second yellow; I’m not sure the first one was. She plays with dynamism and on the edge, and she is still young.”
She added, “The way we handled the 10 v 11 situation was excellent. The players gave everything, and the fans helped us.”
Despite spending long spells without the ball, Manchester United defended with discipline and composure. Substitute Melvine Malard missed a clear chance to double the lead late on, but United held firm to secure a historic result.
United captain Maya Le Tissier said, “It was hard-fought and a really scrappy game. It wasn’t the prettiest, but we’re glad to get the win and get through to the final.”
On facing Chelsea, she added, “It will be cool. We’ve not made the final before, and it’s another opportunity to win something. We want to be challenging in every cup we’re in.”
The result ended Arsenal’s formidable home record in the competition, with the Gunners having won 29 of their previous 33 League Cup matches at home.
The final will take place at Ashton Gate on 15 March, with Chelsea and Manchester United meeting for the trophy.
Chelsea have won every League Cup final previously contested between the two sides and are aiming to defend the domestic titles secured under Sonia Bompastor last season. Manchester United, appearing in the final for the first time, will view the occasion as an opportunity to challenge that dominance.
As the League Cup approaches a period of structural change, this final marks the closing chapter of its current format, with two contrasting journeys converging in Bristol.
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