Holders Chelsea booked their place in a seventh consecutive Women's League Cup final with a narrow 1-0 win over Manchester City, with Wieke Kaptein’s first-half header ultimately proving enough at the Joie Stadium.
City were the side on the front foot early on, moving the ball sharply and pinning Chelsea back for long spells. The home side controlled territory and tempo, but for all their pressure, they struggled to carve out clear openings as Chelsea stayed compact and organised without the ball.
The decisive moment came against the run of play. Chelsea had begun to look increasingly dangerous from set-pieces and made one count when Sandy Baltimore whipped a corner into the heart of the penalty area. Kaptein reacted quickest, rising from close range to guide her header into the bottom-left corner and give the visitors the lead.
Manchester City came out strongly after the break and almost found an immediate response. Kerstin Casparij struck the post from inside the box. Soon after, Yui Hasegawa forced Hannah Hampton into a sharp save from distance as City enjoyed their most threatening spell.
As City committed more players forward, Chelsea began to find space on the counter. Baltimore continued to cause problems down the left, driving inside and firing narrowly over, while Lauren James’ introduction brought calm and control during a hectic period of the game.
City pushed until the end, but Chelsea managed the closing stages well, defending with discipline and composure. Sonia Bompastor’s side saw out the final moments to secure a hard-fought victory and book their place in the final.
Image: Wieke Kaptein heads Chelsea in front
Chelsea’s threat from dead-ball situations had been building throughout the contest, and it was no surprise that the breakthrough came from a corner. Baltimore’s delivery repeatedly asked questions, while Kaptein’s movement in the box proved decisive when it mattered most.
City will feel they did enough in general play to at least force the game to extra time. Casparij’s effort against the post early in the second half was the clearest example of how fine the margins were on the night.
Hampton also played her part, particularly during City’s strongest spell, producing a key save from Hasegawa to maintain Chelsea’s advantage.
Ultimately, Chelsea’s organisation and ability to take their moment proved decisive.
### **City rue missed chances**
Image: Man City were unable to find an equaliser
For Manchester City, this will be a difficult defeat to digest. Long spells of pressure went unrewarded, and too often promising moves broke down at the crucial moment.
The missed opportunities were costly. Casparij’s strike against the woodwork felt pivotal, while further efforts from range failed to trouble Hampton enough during periods of sustained pressure.
City’s build-up play was largely effective, but composure deserted them in the final third. In a tight knockout tie, those moments loom large.
Chelsea were ruthless when their chance arrived. City, by contrast, were left to reflect on what might have been.