Chelsea vs Man City LIVE: Women’s League Cup remaining consequence and response as Blues win after late personal purpose
Chelsea defeated Manchester City to win the Women’s League Cup and secure a first trophy under Sonia Bompastor as Yui Hasegawa’s own goal settled an entertaining final at Pride Park.
Mayra Ramirez bundled in the opening goal for the Blues after just seven minutes but Nick Cushing’s City were the better side up until half time in terms of possession and chances.
Chelsea settled after the break, but were then taken by surprise as Aoba Fujino’s swerving shot found the top corner from the angle. Hannah Hampton redeemed herself moments later with a crucial stop to deny Khadija Shaw.
And Chelsea then struck late on as Ramirez’s cross from the right was sliced in by the unfortunate Hasegawa, with the ball looping in off her foot as she looked to clear and beating Ayaka Yamashita.
The result continues Chelsea’s unbeaten season under Bompastor but City will look to strike back when they host the Blues in the first leg of their Women’s Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday
Post-match reaction from Sonia Bompastor:
“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.
“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.
“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.”
Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze speaking 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.”
One down, three to go
These two teams play each other four times inside 12 days.
The first was today in the League Cup final, there are two clashes in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and a WSL clash as well.
Chelsea won the first game. Can Man City respond on Wednesday?
Millie Bright reacts to Chelsea win
Chelsea captain Millie Bright spoke about finally winning the League Cup after losing the last three finals.
She stold the BBC: “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.
“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.”
Chelsea win the Women’s League Cup
Millie Bright grins widely as she picks up the trophy.
She carries it to her teammates and hoists it into the air!
The party poppers go off and the celebrations begin.
Chelsea are the 2025 Women’s League Cup winners!
Chelsea trophy presentation
Sonia Bompastor leads the winning Chelsea side up to collect their gold medals.
Many of these players lost the league cup final last year so it’s a positive turnaround for them.
As expected there are smiles aplenty as the players shake hands and collect their medals.
Millie Bright will bring up the rear and collect the trophy on her way.
Man City squad receive medals
The losing Manchester City squad head up to the presentation podium and collect their runners-up medals.
It’s the walk no-one wants to make ahead of time. City played well but were beaten by a more clinical team.
They face Chelsea again in the week for a Champions League quarter-final when they’ll want to inflict defeat on today’s victors.
‘Chelsea played the conditions’
Former England striker, Ellen White, said: “I think Chelsea played the conditions.
“We spoke about the pitch, Chelsea used it to their advantage. They didn’t play pretty football but they adapted. They suffered, they scored goals.
“This game is great for them, they will think ‘we’ve done it, now move on.’
“Tick that one off and move to the next one.”
