Chelsea beat Man City to win first trophy under Sonia Bompastor
Unfortunate Yui Hasegawa own goal restored Chelsea's lead
Aoba Fujino had levelled for City after Mayra Ramirez's early opener
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Match was first of four games in 12 days that these sides meet
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FT: Chelsea 2-1 Man City
An excellent final on a dodgy pitch. Chelsea take the spoils and lift the League Cup.
See you soon for the next one...
Ramirez gives Chelsea early lead in League Cup final
'That is magnificent!' - Fujino fires Man City level against Chelsea
Chelsea back ahead after Hasegawa own goal
Manchester City interim manager Nick Cushing: "It is tough. These finals always swing on moments. The moment fell to Chelsea. I’ve seen enough. I have the belief that this team can win.
"The immediate emotion of losing a final is incredible disappointment. What I see in the players’ eyes is an incredible hunger and belief that they can win."
FT: Chelsea 2-1 Man City
Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton speaking to BBC One: "It was a hard-fought win. You can see that I think we needed to tidy up moments in the game. I think Man City had a lot of momentum, especially in the first half and towards the second half when they scored, their fans got really behind them and you could see they were pushing for a second straight on. We dug in, we knew what we had to do. We had to defend quite solidly and we did that barring one goal but it’s important for us to get some silverware at the beginning of the season and it’s only going to push us on to get more.
"Yes, I’m happy. I think we just made it hard for ourselves, we could have made it a bit easier and didn’t have to panic the fans or ourselves but I’m happy, of course."
On the run of four games with Manchester City: "I think in possession, we can be tidier. We can manage the game a lot better than we did. Out of possession, we know the qualities Manchester City have. We know they don’t need a lot of chances to get a goal, they showed that today. We are going to keep working as hard as we can on the training pitch, it’s not often you play them four times in a row. Not many people can say they’ve done that. At the end, I think we’ll be tired of seeing each other, that’s for sure."
A reminder of this crazy schedule:
Wednesday: Manchester City v Chelsea (Champions League)
Sunday 23 March: Manchester City v Chelsea (WSL)
Thursday 27 March: Chelsea v Manchester City (Champions League)
Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Pride Park
City interim manager Nick Cushing on Bunny Shaw: "She is feeling her hamstring. She is a really important player for us so hopefully she is ready for Wednesday but if not we will find a solution."
FT: Chelsea 2-1 Man City
Image source, Getty ImagesChelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert speaking to BBC One: "It gets harder every time. Everyone thinks it’s an easy thing, but it just gets harder and harder and we get hungrier and hungrier."
On her team's performance: "We didn’t play at our best, but I think that’s the beauty of it. We just hang in there, we didn’t play our best. I don’t think the surface was fit for a final to be honest with you, but we have to play the game. There’s four of them over the next 12 days, that’s one out of the way. Each game will present something different."
On whether Chelsea can win the quadruple: "I hate all that chat to be honest. I heard Lucy (Bronze) say a comment this week, we’ve won nothing. We’re unbeaten so far but it honestly means nothing, what trophy have you got to show for that? Other than this Subway Cup, that’s one out of four. We’ve just got to try and take one foot in front of the other. Champions League next and see how far we can get."
On Chelsea's fans: "I just love the Chelsea fans. I think we outnumbered Manchester City today in terms of the fans and we shone. We really needed them at times where we were under the cosh a little bit, but they always turn up in their numbers and we’re really going to need them over the next few weeks."
On winning the League Cup for the first time since 2021: "I’ve missed it, I’ve honestly missed it. I think for me, I just want to try and win every trophy available. It has hurt that we haven’t won that. In previous years, we have just wanted to use that as a motivation to go into the next and use it as a catalyst going into the next. We haven’t been able to do that in previous years. I hope this can be the catalyst for something great for Chelsea."
Chelsea goalscorer Mayra Ramirez: "I am happy with the trophy, we have a big week ahead and more games to come.
"We have been practicing our celebration in the hotel and you will have to see if we have more!"
Just a 3pm-9pm session then? Superb.
FT: Chelsea 2-1 Man City
Image source, PA MediaChelsea manager Sonia Bompastor speaking to BBC One: "We are really happy for sure. You know when you're in a final, it's always the main thing is to win. The game was not easy today but really happy with the win. First trophy in the season, it's always important."
On the trophy: "I just told my players it's really important that today, we are about to turn the words into actions. We worked so hard every day from the beginning of the season and today was huge positivity from the players to perform and win a title. Really happy with that. I think it's really deserved for all of the work we have been doing."
On beating Manchester City: "City had a good performance, it was a difficult game for us, we knew that. It was important again that we found a way to win today. That's what I'm most of proud of."
On how much the players can celebrate today: "My players know exactly the rules. I told them that it's important to celebrate for sure, but we have a game against City on Wednesday and we'll need to be ready because again, we expect a tough game."
On whether the players can celebrate tonight: "No, they can just got out until 9pm. 9:30 in bed."
FT: Chelsea 2-1 Man City
Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze on BBC One: "We have a spa day recovery tomorrow as we play again on Wednesday - and again and then again.
"We want to enjoy it but have to be smart. Silverware is what matters it was important to get one trophy in the bank, that means the season is a success.
"I throw myself around all the time, I didn't ask for a penalty once when i got booked! The pitch didn't help - just look at it.
"We can play any conditions and mix it up, we would love to play more football but that wasn't on today.
"In the modern game, players neglect defending but Millie Bright doesn't let that happen. We are very focused on defending, we pride ourselves on it."
A reminder that these sides meet another three times in the next 12 days...
FT: Chelsea 2-1 Man City
Ellen White
Former England striker on BBC One
It is heartbreaking for Hasegawa, her teammates will get around her. Lucy Bronze goes crazy down the right side. Hasegawa just needed to get a touch on it, it was so unlucky.
Image source, Getty ImagesThis is why we love sport.
One moment the difference between such contrasting emotions.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Chelsea 2-1 Man City
Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Pride Park
Sonia Bompastor was hanging on the edge of the trophy stage, waiting to high five each player. She was keen to stay out of the way of the trophy lift!
Millie Bright did a little dance before she lifted it and - of course - Erin Cuthbert was already waiting with the champagne.
FT: Chelsea 2-1 Man City
Ellen White
Former England striker on BBC One
It is an amazing accolade to have, these Chelsea players will enjoy it.
Millie Bright may have said there was no time for a champagne today but she gets plenty of it sprayed in her direction as she hoists the trophy high into the air.
Job done for Chelsea - part one of the set complete.
Image source, PA MediaAnd now Chelsea get their medals, a huge roar rips down the sideline from the fans who have all stayed to see this.
Chelsea win the League Cup for a third time.
FT: Chelsea 2-1 Man City
Rachel Brown-Finnis
Ex-England goalkeeper on BBC One
Man City caused Chelsea a lot of problems and could've easily edged it 2-1 in their favour. I've won and lost the League Cup final, you learn from both experiences.
FT: Chelsea 2-1 Man City
Image source, PA MediaChelsea captain Millie Bright on winning the League Cup after losing the past three finals: "We are buzzing. Things like that stick in your mind for a long time, it's certainly been doing my head in. We are really happy, it's the start that we wanted into these next four fixtures."
On what made the difference today: "It was always going to be a tight game. They had chances, we had chances. We defended really well front to back and should have put a couple more chances away. The mentality to never give in is something that Chelsea have had in their DNA for a long time. We always find a way to win whether it's a good day or a bad day."
On playing Man City four times in 12 days: "It's rest, recover and go again. It's a strange period for both teams. We have never been in this position. We have to be aware of potential changes for the next game."
On if they will be allowed to celebrate with Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final on the horizon: "Absolutely not. Straight home, get back home to bed and back for recovery."
The City players line up to collect their runners-up medals out on the pitch. Down but not out.
Image source, Getty ImagesChelsea edge past Man City to win League Cup
Chelsea edged past Manchester City in the Women's League Cup final to win their first trophy under Sonia Bompastor and keep their bid for a historic quadruple alive.
Bompastor has exceeded expectations since succeeding Emma Hayes as head coach last May, winning 26 of her 28 games.
Mayra Ramirez netted an early opener for Chelsea, bundling in a rebound that bounced off City skipper Laia Aleixandri at Derby County's Pride Park.
Aoba Fujino levelled after the break with a stunning strike, but an own goal by Yui Hasegawa restored Chelsea's lead and ended their three-year losing streak in League Cup finals.
City, who were playing their first game under interim boss Nick Cushing following Gareth Taylor's sacking five days ago, dominated play after Chelsea's opener.
But they were unable to find a way through during the first half as Chelsea's solid centre-back paring of Millie Bright and Nathalie Bjorn stood firm, limiting City's chances to ambitious efforts from the edge of the box.
Chelsea appeared to regain control after the interval, but Fujino's powerful strike flew past Hannah Hampton and into the roof of the net before Hasegawa's own goal handed momentum back to Bompastor's side.
They remain in the hunt for the Champions League and FA Cup, while they have all but secured a sixth successive Women's Super League (WSL) title, sitting eight points clear at the top of the table with six games remaining.
This final marked the start of an intense 12-day battle, with Chelsea and City playing each other four times in a row.
The victory secured Chelsea third Women's League Cup title and their first since 2021
Chelsea's bid for a quadruple continues, but it looked in doubt at times on a cold afternoon.
They were gifted an early opener as Catarina Macario cut through City's defence before playing Ramirez through on goal.
The Colombia striker's initial shot was saved by Ayaka Yamashita, but it deflected back off Aleixandri and into the path of Ramirez for a simple tap-in.
Chelsea's winner also came down to an unfortunate error from City, with a well-worn pitch wreaking havoc as the ball bobbled up before Hasegawa turned Ramirez's low cross into her own net.
The Chelsea players' celebrations were muted at the final whistle, with Bompastor's side breathing a sigh of relief, knowing the performance was a far cry from their best showings this season.
But as the dust settled and they collected their medals, the players danced joyfully with the trophy in front of their fans.
It was always going to be a tough task for Cushing.
The 40-year-old had been out of management since he was sacked by New York City's men's side in November, while he only had four days with the team to prepare for a cup final against England's most dominant team.
Cushing spent more than six years in charge of City previously, winning two League Cups along with the club's first WSL title before leaving in 2020.
The club parted ways with Taylor after a string of disappointing results left City fourth in the WSL, 12 points adrift of Chelsea and at risk of missing out of a Champions League place next season.
An early Chelsea goal was far from ideal on Cushing's return, but his side looked impressive as they controlled possession and pushed forward.
Blocks from Bright and Sandy Baltimore denied Khadija Shaw, while Hampton, who may have been disappointed at conceding at her near post, made a brilliant stop moments after City's leveller to stop Shaw from putting them ahead.
Attention for Cushing will quickly turn to City's next three encounters against Chelsea, starting with the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester United | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
|
| 2 | Liverpool | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 6 |
|
| 3 | Everton | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 2 |
|
| 4 | Newcastle United | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 12 | -7 | 1 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durham | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
|
| 2 | Blackburn Rovers | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 6 |
|
| 3 | Sunderland | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 3 |
|
| 4 | Sheffield United | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 1 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Ham United | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 11 | 9 |
|
| 2 | London City Lionesses | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 6 |
|
| 3 | Southampton | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
|
| 4 | Portsmouth | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 15 | -12 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 7 |
|
| 2 | Leicester City | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
|
| 3 | Birmingham City | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 9 | -4 | 3 |
|
| 4 | Bristol City | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 10 | -6 | 2 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tottenham Hotspur | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 9 |
|
| 2 | Aston Villa | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
|
| 3 | Crystal Palace | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
|
| 4 | Charlton Athletic | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 | -6 | 0 |
|
Manager: Sonia Bompastor
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Nick Cushing
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Sonia Bompastor
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Nick Cushing
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
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