How Chelsea punished United's mistakes to lift League Cup trophy
A chaotic and intense final was decided by Lauren James’ opportunistic opener and Chelsea’s effective pressing
There is something very familiar about Chelsea winning trophies, even in a season where not everything has gone their way.
Sonia Bompastor’s side retained their League Cup title with a 2-0 win over Manchester United at Ashton Gate on Sunday. A result and moment that could kickstart their season at just the right time.
Chelsea headed into Sunday’s final carrying positive momentum. Recent results, including a 2-1 victory against Manchester United in the fifth round of the Women’s FA Cup, had marked a clear improvement in form. But there was also a lot at stake, following an unprecedented total of three defeats in the WSL, and plenty of change and noise around the club.
Both sides had their own squad issues to manage too. Chelsea were without Ellie Carpenter, Millie Bright and Naomi Girma for the final, which meant a reshuffled back line, and a relatively unfamiliar centre-back combination of Veerle Buurman and Kadeisha Buchanan.
Meanwhile Manchester United were missing Anna Sandberg, Ella Toone and Hinata Miyazawa. In response, Marc Skinner opted for an aggressive approach, maintaining United’s usual 4-2-3-1 structure but deploying a particularly attacking front four with Ellen Wangerheim, Jess Park, Melvine Malard and Elisabeth Terland all starting.
What followed was a fast and often chaotic contest in which neither side managed to establish long periods of controlled possession.
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