Chelsea continued their dominance in English football by clinching the Women’s League Cup with a 2-1 victory over Manchester City. Under Sonia Bompastor’s leadership, the team remains unbeaten after 28 matches and has secured the first of a potential quadruple of major trophies this season.
Chelsea’s 26th victory of the season was played on a pitch that was widely criticized for its poor quality. Midfielder Erin Cuthbert expressed her disappointment, stating that the surface was not fit for a final. Bompastor echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the pitch conditions were not what she expected in English football.
The match was the 14th edition of the modern-day Women’s League Cup final, yet the playing surface was notably inferior compared to past finals. The hosting venue, Derby County’s Pride Park, came under scrutiny, with organizers defending their choice, asserting that they had selected a location with adequate resources to maintain a high-quality pitch.
Despite the conditions, Manchester City put up a strong fight, particularly in the first half. Interim head coach Nick Cushing, who recently took charge following Gareth Taylor’s departure, opted not to blame the pitch for the defeat. He instead focused on his team’s upcoming matches, noting that their own stadium would offer a better surface when the sides meet again in a few days.
The match began with Mayra Ramírez giving Chelsea an early lead. After breaking free on a counterattack, her initial shot was blocked, but she capitalized on the rebound to score. She later had another chance to double the lead but failed to convert after rounding the goalkeeper.
Manchester City responded with a brilliant individual goal from Aoba Fujino in the second half. The Japanese forward struck a swerving shot that beat Chelsea’s goalkeeper at the near post, leveling the score at 1-1.
City continued to press, with Khadija Shaw forcing a fine save and Vivianne Miedema testing the Chelsea goalkeeper, but it was Chelsea who found the decisive goal. The breakthrough came when Yui Hasegawa, under pressure from a dangerous cross by Ramírez, inadvertently turned the ball into her own net with 13 minutes remaining.
Despite not being at their best, Chelsea once again demonstrated their winning mentality. Bompastor acknowledged that the performance was not their strongest but praised her players for finding a way to secure victory. The win marks a significant achievement, especially considering Chelsea’s recent history in the competition, where they had finished as runners-up in the last three finals.
Chelsea’s victory also serves as a statement of intent as they continue their pursuit of multiple trophies. With the league title within reach, an FA Cup semi-final on the horizon, and a strong position in European competition, they remain on course for a remarkable season.
