**Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor claimed her first piece of silverware as her unbeaten Blues beat Manchester City 2-1 at Pride Park to win their first League Cup since 2021.**
Mayra Ramirez gave Chelsea an early lead before Aoba Fujino’s brilliant second half equaliser, on a sub-standard playing surface still bearing the effects of two Derby County matches in the week leading up to the final.
City had sacked manager Gareth Taylor on Monday, with Nick Cushing returning to the blue side of Manchester to take interim charge, having spent nine years in charge of the Cityzens in his previous spell.
However, there was little sign of a new manager bounce for Cushing’s side, with Yui Hasegawa’s 77th minute own goal sealing a third League Cup title for Chelsea.
The Lineups
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**CHE:** Hampton; Bronze, Bright, Björn, Baltimore; Cuthbert, Nüsken, Macario; Rytting Kaneryd, James, Ramírez
**MNC:** Yamashita; Casprij, Prior, Aleixandri, Ouhuabi; Hasegawa, Roord, Miedema; Fowler, Fujino, Shaw
The Action
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Over 14,000 fans attended the Saturday lunchtime kick-off, despite more than 16,000 tickets being sold, and Chelsea’s strong cohort of away fans didn’t have to wait long for the opener.
It came after seven minutes, through the Blues’ number seven, Ramirez. Her initial shot was saved after being played through by Lauren James, but the ball ricocheted to Ramírez for a simple finish. A scrappy goal, but a well-worked move all the same.
[Embed from Getty Images](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2205213862)
Bunny Shaw was City’s aggressor-in-chief in response and drove into the penalty area, her shot deflected behind before Hannah Hampton was tested by Ouahabi, saving well to her right side.
Midway through the first half, Hasegawa threaded through Fujino, with Hampton again called into action to keep out a City equaliser. Chelsea responded through James, who couldn’t place her shot either side of Ayaka Yamashita.
Bompastor’s side should have doubled their lead after 27 minutes when a long ball from Sandy Baltimore played Ramirez clean through on goal. The Colombian striker rounded Yamashita but could only find the side-netting, a golden opportunity for Chelsea.
Baltimore and Millie Bright then pulled off crucial blocks to deny Shaw two attempts at an equaliser as City enjoyed another promising spell. Chelsea were able to keep the four-time League Cup winners at bay to preserve their lead at half-time.
Chelsea felt they should have been awarded a penalty five minutes into the second half when Lucy Bronze went down, but the England right-back was correctly booked for simulation by referee Emily Heaslip.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd was denied expertly by Yamashita before Erin Cuthbert fired the rebound over the crossbar as Chelsea continued to push for a crucial second goal.
However, Manchester City levelled proceedings thanks to a moment of brilliance in the 64th minute when Fujino dribbled from deep into the penalty area and struck a fierce effort past Hampton from a tight angle.
[Embed from Getty Images](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2204652957)
The busy Hampton would pull off a vital save moments later to keep out a close-range shot from Shaw, and then deny Vivianne Miedema’s low effort.
Chelsea regained their lead with 13 minutes remaining through an own goal from Hasegawa, who tried to clear Ramirez’s dangerous cross but sent the ball into the top corner of her own net- a cruel moment for one of City’s most consistent performers.
Kerolin and Jess Park were introduced from the bench with Shaw and Fujino withdrawn, but City were unable to mount any serious tests of Hampton in the closing stages.
Bompastor will raise English silverware to the sky for the first time, and an eight-point advantage at the top of the WSL means she and her side will surely not have to wait too long for their next trophy lift.