Chelsea Women 2 Manchester City Women 1
The Sonia Bompastor era has officially begun. The Chelsea manager will do well to match the trophy haul of her predecessor Emma Hayes, who managed 16, but the first piece of silverware is in the bank.
In truth, this is the least important of the four trophies Chelsea can win this season but this victory has the power to set the tone for the rest of their campaign.
There was little that was pretty about this League Cup final at Derby’s Pride Park stadium. The lack of quality was no doubt partly down to to the poor standard of the pitch, which BBC pundit Fara Williams described as “ugly” while co-commentator Rachel Brown-Finnis said it was “not fit for a final.”
It was perhaps fitting then that this game was decided by an own goal. Mayra Ramirez had put Chelsea ahead after eight minutes but her strike was cancelled out by a fine goal from Aoba Fujino midway through the second half. The decisive moment came in 77th minute when Yui Hasegawa, so often City’s best player, diverted Ramirez’s cross into her own net.
This was the first of four games City and Chelsea play against each other in the space of 12 days, with a Women’s Super League clash sandwiched between two Champions League quarter-final legs.
Chelsea have won round one, but the bigger clashes are still to come.
Full match report to follow
02:36 PM GMT
Sonia Bompastor speaks after winning her first trophy with Chelsea
Sonia Bompastor said after the game: “Really happy for sure. When you get to a final the main thing si to win. The first trophy of the season its always important.
“I just told my players it was really important to make sure we were able to turns words into action.
“Really happy with that and I think its well-deserved for all the world we have been doing.”
02:23 PM GMT
Chelsea win the League Cup - Millie Bright speaks after the final whistle
Millie Bright has been given player of the match and says after the game: “Honestly we’re just buzzing. Honestly things like that sit in the back of your mind and it’s been doing my head in.
“We are really happy, it’s the start that we wanted into these next four fixtures.”
When asked if Chelsea would be allowed to celebrate, she said: “Absolutely not. Straight home, get back home to bed and back for recovery.”
02:14 PM GMT
Full time: Chelsea win first trophy under Sonia Bompastor
In the end it was an own goal from Hasegawa that gifted Chelsea their first trophy of the season.
It was an evenly-matched contest, but Chelsea have just done what they always do - win. It’s their first League Cup trophy in four years, and City can feel unfortunate that they did not take their chances.
Chelsea’s two goals were fortuitous and it was not a pretty performance, but ultimately it was effective and Chelsea have won the Subway League Cup.
02:12 PM GMT
89 mins: Chelsea 2 Manchester City 1
There will be 3 minutes of added time
02:10 PM GMT
89 mins: Chelsea 2 Manchester City 1
Roord tries her luck from outside the area, she takes a touch and shoots, but it’s straight at Hannah Hampton.
Is that a chance wasted?
At the other end a back pass just about reaches Yamashita.
02:06 PM GMT
87 mins: Chelsea 2 Manchester City 1
City have just faded slightly in the last couple of minutes.
Millie Bright has almost been impenetrable at the back.
Baltimore comes off for Niamh Charles as Chelsea will be happy to just see the game out here.
02:03 PM GMT
84 mins: Chelsea 2 Manchester City 1
City have a corner, and they will have to take anything they can get now.
The set-piece does not get past the first defender as Millie Bright heads clear.
02:01 PM GMT
80 mins: Chelsea 2 Manchester City 1
City changes now, Bunny Shaw comes off for Jess Park and goes straight down the tunnel, City fans will have to home that’s not an injury.
In the other change, Fujino is also taken off, with Israel Ferraz coming on.
01:57 PM GMT
GOAL! 77 mins - Chelsea 2 Manchester City 1
Chelsea retake the lead but this one is even luckier than the first!
It takes massive deflection off Hasegawa and into the back of the net off the outside of her shin.
Chelsea have the lead and that could be enough, but it would be unfair on a City side who have played so well.
01:56 PM GMT
77 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 1
Hamano has hardly been on the field when she launches the ball from almost inside her own half towards the goal.
Yamashita was not really off her line but only has to backpedal slightly to take an easy catch.
01:54 PM GMT
75 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 1
Chelsea ring in the changes, Macario and Rytting Kaneryd come off for Hamano and Beever-Jones.
01:51 PM GMT
73 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 1
Should Hannah Hampton have done better there? There was a bit of swerve on the ball, but it just seemed to go through her. As I typed that she’s made a big save to prevent Bunny Shaw from making it 2-1. Game on now...
01:51 PM GMT
71 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 1
Miedema has a chance! The goal has sparked City into life.
Shaw controls a long ball to put it into the path of Miedema, but her shot is saved.
Shaw tries an ambitious turning volley, but the ball bobbled too high and the shot goes over the bar.
01:48 PM GMT
69 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 1
Hampton might have been at fault - at least partly - for the goal, but when Bunny Shaw is put through by Fujino, she is so quick off her line to rush out and close down the angle.
Had she not done that, City would have been ahead. A good piece of goalkeeping.
01:46 PM GMT
67 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 1
Bunny Shaw goes down in the penalty area, she is holding the back of her leg.
But is this going to be a penalty for a foul on Baltimore?
The contact was not deemed enough to overrule the on-field decision. Shaw is also back on her feet.
01:43 PM GMT
GOAL - 64 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 1
What a goal!
Fujino produces a piece of individual magic to draw City level.
Fujino comes in off the touchline, plays a one two with Bunny Shaw running into the box and caught Hannah Hampton by surprise.
The goalkeeper could potentially have done better there, but it was a good goal for City.
01:41 PM GMT
61 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
Chance!
What a save from Ayaka Yamashita to close down the space to Johanna Rytting Kaneryd after she’s put through on goal by Erin Cuthbert!
That might just have kept City in this match.
01:39 PM GMT
60 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
Chelsea have a corner, it’s been mostly City so far in the second half, but the chances Chelsea do get they tend to take.
Macario takes, but it’s flicked on by Fujino before play is stopped with two City players face down in what can only be described as mud around the penalty spot.
01:36 PM GMT
57 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
A lot of City’s attacks are coming through Fujino, but she can’t quite find the right ball to really threaten Chelsea.
Her cross is poor.
Bunny Shaw has another chance, this one from a long long way out and the ball flies well over the bar.
Shaw is then shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Erin Cuthbert.
01:31 PM GMT
53 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
City have started this half in the same way they finished the first, lots of possession and good build-up play, just lacking the killer pass.
Shaw has another attempt blocked from a tight angle and Chelsea work the ball clear.
01:29 PM GMT
51 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
Lucy Bronze goes down in the box and the referee has booked her for simulation!
Bronze looks entirely surprised, but it is the right decision looking at the replays, the Chelsea player expected the boot that never came.
01:28 PM GMT
49 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
Bunny Shaw is penalised for a foul on Bjorn, she does not look happy at the chance to miss out on a promising attack.
Chelsea have already had an almost-chance when Lauren James eased past a defender before putting in a cross that’s just got too much on it for Mayra Ramirez.
01:24 PM GMT
46 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
Chelsea get the second half underway.
01:22 PM GMT
Half time: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
The teams are just starting to make their way back out onto the field for the start of the second half.
01:16 PM GMT
Chelsea ahead at half time
01:13 PM GMT
Half time: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
Chelsea go into the break with the lead, it came through a stroke of fortune, but City have fought back into this.
City have had the chances, a lot of blocks by the Chelsea defenders have kept Bunny Shaw at bay - so far.
It’s been a close fought contest and there is no reason to think the second half will be any different.
01:08 PM GMT
40+4 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
Mayra Ramirez is in the action again, another free kick in for City and the ball bobbles around in the area before the Chelsea player can make a crucial block.
There will just be enough time for a corner, it’s swung in but headed away by Bright.
That will be the final action of the half.
01:04 PM GMT
45 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
There will be four minutes of added time at the end of the first half.
01:01 PM GMT
43 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
A first yellow card of the game is shown to Miedema for a challenge on Macario, she just tripped her, nothing malicious but the referee reaches into the book.
01:00 PM GMT
42 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
The pitch does not look great it’s fair to say.
Former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis said on the BBC: “The standard of this pitch has been sub-standard, not befitting of a Women’s League Cup final. There’s a lot of sand on it.”
12:56 PM GMT
38 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
Erin Cuthbert is down holding her head and receiving treatment on the field.
There was nothing wrong with the challenge, but as she fell backwards her head hit the ground.
After a reasonable delay, she is back on the field.
12:55 PM GMT
37 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
City have a free kick in a dangerous area, it’s headed towards the goal, but Lucy Bronze runs onto it - and bizarrely ends up just dribbling it across the face of goal and then back up the pitch.
It might have been the goalkeepers, but there’s no real danger in the end.
12:53 PM GMT
35 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
Millie Bright lunges at the ball and misses it, only for it to fall into the path of Shaw, but her shot is blocked by Baltimore.
She has a second chance and it’s another block! This time by Erin Cuthbert.
City look like they are trying to carve out the perfect chance and just taking one touch too many.
12:50 PM GMT
31 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
At the half hour mark of the match, both sides have had four shots each, but Manchester City have had over 60 per cent of the ball.
The question remains though, can they make it count and level things up before half time.
12:47 PM GMT
29 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
What a chance!
One long ball up and Mayra Ramirez is through on goal, Laia Aleixandri slips and she only has the goalkeeper to beat, she tries to go around Yamashita and fires into the side netting.
Ramirez can only pull her shirt over her head in frustration, but that was a huge miss, and it remains to be seen just how costly that could be.
12:43 PM GMT
25 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
Lauren James has a shot, she didn’t have many other options, but the angle was limited and it was straight at the City goalkeeper.
It’s end to end stuff though, Mary Fowler crosses at the other end but it’s cleared by Chelsea.
12:42 PM GMT
24 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
They might be losing 1-0 but Man City have been the better team. They’re playing some really nice stuff, but not making their possession count. That’s the difference so far.
12:39 PM GMT
22 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
Shaw has another chance, this time the shot is blocked, but City will have a corner.
They take it short, Fujino manages to make her way into the box and shoot but its straight at Hannah Hampton who makes a good save.
12:36 PM GMT
18 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
Chelsea attack again, with Rytting Kaneryd trying to find Macario, the move eventually amounts to nothing, but when City try and attack, Miedema is left short of options.
The crowd has claimed for a handball by a Chelsea player in the box, but the players on the field seem less convinced.
The momentum shifts however, and Shaw has a deflected shot go wide of the target.
12:32 PM GMT
15 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
A fine move from Chelsea to take the lead. Brilliant pass from James and Ramirez did well to hold off Aleixandri before getting a bit of luck.
Yamashita had made a good save with her feet but the rebound off Aleixandri fell kindly for Ramirez to tap-in.
Not sure why VAR had to check that for offside, as it was not even close. Almost as if they were checking for the sake of it.
12:31 PM GMT
13 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
Whenever Chelsea do go forward, they look so dangerous, and City might have to find a way to weather this storm at times before going on to attack themselves.
12:30 PM GMT
Alex Greenwood still a part of the team
Interesting that it was Alex Greenwood, who remains sidelined with a knee injury, that was leading Man City’s pre-match team talk before kick-off. The defender still fulfilling her role as captain despite not being involved in the squad.
12:30 PM GMT
11 mins: Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
City try and hit back straight away, as Bunny Shaw runs forward into the box, but she can’t make anything of it.
It is a reminder into just how dangerous she can be.
12:27 PM GMT
GOAL: 8 mins - Chelsea 1 Manchester City 0
Mayra Ramirez gets a huge stroke of luck!
She makes a clever run into the box and shoots on goal, but Ayaka Yamashita saves, only for the ball to hit Laia Aleixandri and back into Ramirez’s path for her to bundle the ball over the line.
It’s not sleek or pretty but Chelsea have the lead.
12:22 PM GMT
4 mins: Chelsea 0 Manchester City 0
It was a slightly clumsy challenge from Millie Bright on Bunny Shaw, but she is back on her feet and back on the pitch after the brief delay.
12:20 PM GMT
2 mins: Chelsea 0 Manchester City 0
Chelsea have started the brighter of the two sides, Rytting Kaneryd made a promising run into the box and they have defended well.
Although there is concern for Manchester City, Bunny Shaw has gone down. And isn’t getting back up quickly.
12:19 PM GMT
1 minute: Chelsea 0 Manchester City 0
Manchester City get the game underway
12:15 PM GMT
Almost kick off
The national anthem has been played, now there’s just time for the teams to line up for their pre-match photos before kick off.
And of course a minute’s silence for Poppy Atkinson who died aged just 10 while in a football training session on a sports pitch earlier this month.
12:12 PM GMT
The atmosphere builds at Pride Park
Pretty chilly here in Derby! Stadium starting to fill up. The pitch doesn’t look the best, a few muddy parts and to be cutting up in one of the penalty areas. We’ll see if that has any bearing on how the teams play...
Just spotted Beth Mead in the crowd, well, one of the boxes. She’s here to support her partner Vivianne Miedema, who starts for Man City today. Arsenal, of course, beat Everton 3-1 last night.
12:09 PM GMT
Sonia Bompastor speaks ahead of the match
The Chelsea manager spoke to BBC One: “For sure, it’s a big opportunity for both teams, but especially for us. As I said before coming into this game, we need to turn our words into actions and I think it’s really important to make sure we are coming into this final really prepared. It’s time to perform to make sure we have the most chances to win.”
When asked about the recent change in her opposite number, she said: “I think a new manager always brings positivity around the team but I just know the squad didn’t change a lot. The starting 11 today is the one we were planning to face so the players didn’t change and I think City are a really good squad, a really good team. It will be a really good final but we are also focussing on ourselves because we know we have enough quality to win the game today.”
12:01 PM GMT
Niamh Charles says all of the four matches between the sides are different
Niamh Charles said to BBC Radio London: “I think it will be interesting for the fans. As a player, we’re used to changing opposition all the time. It’s what makes it interesting in the Champions League as well because you normally go up against foreign teams. So this is a unique experience.
“Each game is a separate thing and you attack each one. We will give our best in every game.”
11:53 AM GMT
Nick Cushing speaks about his return to Manchester City Women
Nick Cushing, who took over from Gareth Taylor during the week following the sacking, has speaks to BBC Sport ahead of the match:
“I came out of New York in October and since then I have been having some conversations with the leadership at the City Football Group about remaining in one of our teams and this opportunity came up at the start of the week. There was a change in coach and it is a really good challenge to accept.”
When asked about the possible changes he will make to the team, he said: “We think the same way. I have been developed in the group with many of our teams. We are very similar, but there are some slight changes. Every coach is different so there will be some things I hope I can bring to help our team win some trophies.”
11:44 AM GMT
Vivianne Miedema interview
Vivianne Miedema has never been one to sit on the fence and she is not about to start now.
The Manchester City midfielder is talking about the growing amount of abuse directed at players in the women’s game and calling for action to avoid the hostile atmospheres that are often seen in men’s football.
Last weekend, Liverpool’s Taylor Hinds was subjected to sexual harassment from a supporter during their FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal. Last month, Miedema’s team-mate Khadija “Bunny” Shaw received racist and misogynistic abuse on social media, which led to the striker missing the club’s subsequent game. Chelsea’s Millie Bright has also recently spoken about abuse directed towards her after a match this season.
“We always say and we’re always proud as a women’s game that we’re very inclusive but somehow that is starting to slip away a bit,” Miedema says. “If we don’t act really strongly as a front right now, then it might be too late.
To read the full article, click here.
11:36 AM GMT
Gareth Taylor’s management style under fire
Former Manchester City player Ellie Roebuck left a cryptic Instagram story, as players turned to social media in the aftermath of Gareth Taylor’s firing.
Roebuck, who left City for Barcelona in the summer, posted an image of a quote on her Instagram story. It read: “What goes around comes around. Keep your circle positive. Speak good words. Think good thoughts. Do good deeds.”
There was no specific mention of Taylor, but people may draw their own conclusions at the timing and meaning behind Roebuck’s post.
In an interview with the BBC last month, Roebuck said her relationship with Taylor had become “fractured” after being frozen out of the first-team. Roebuck referenced a lack of clear communication and said she felt her respect for him was not reciprocated.
To read the full article, click here.
11:27 AM GMT
Big day for Gracie Prior
No huge shocks in the starting XIs. Ayaka Yamashita starts in goal ahead of Khiara Keating for Manchester City. A big day for youngster Gracie Prior, who starts at centre back alongside Laia Aleixandri. It’s Prior’s first appearance in a final for City.
Chelsea striker Mayra Ramirez may fancy her chances against that centre back partnership...
11:24 AM GMT
Gareth Taylor sacked just five days before League Cup final
Manchester City have sacked women’s manager Gareth Taylor just five days before their League Cup final with Chelsea.
Charlotte O’Neill, City’s managing director, stated that results this season had not met the club’s “high standards”.
City are currently outside the Champions League qualification places by a point, but have played a game more than third-placed Arsenal. They are also 12 points behind Women’s Super League leaders Chelsea.
City and England defender Alex Greenwood said she was “shocked” by Taylor’s dismissal, but admitted not everyone shared the positive relationship she had with the manager.
To read the full article, click here.
11:17 AM GMT
Manchester City team news
How we line up for the #SubwayWLC final ????
XI | Yamashita, Casparij, Prior, Aleixandri (C), Ouahabi, Hasegawa, Miedema, Roord, Fujino, Fowler, Shaw
SUBS | Keating, Layzell, Coombs, Wienroither, Kerolin, Park, Blindkilde Brown, Oyama, Murphy#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/VTIAallcGM
— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) March 15, 2025
Manchester City: Yamashita, Casparij, Prior, Aleixandri, Ouahabi, Hasegawa, Miedema, Roord, Fujino, Fowler, Shaw
Nick Cushing has made just one change as he prepares for his first match in charge since Gareth Taylor’s sacking, with Aoba Fujino fit enough to start and replaces Jess Park.
11:16 AM GMT
Chelsea team news
Chelsea: Hampton; Bronze, Bright, Bjorn, Baltimore, Nusken, Cuthbert, Macario; Rytting Kaneryd, Ramirez, James
Sonia Bompastor makes four changes from her team that secured their place in the FA Cup semi-finals, Lucy Bronze, Rytting Kaneryd, Mayra Ramirez and Sjoeke Nusken all return.
11:13 AM GMT
Chelsea take on City in the Women’s League Cup final
Good morning and welcome to The Telegraph’s live coverage of the Women’s League Cup final as Chelsea and Manchester City will face each other in Derby for the first women’s domestic cup of the season.
The men’s final between Liverpool and Newcastle takes place tomorrow at Wembley, but for now all attention turns northwards for the first of four successive matches between these two teams.
First is the League Cup final, then the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final, a league match and then the second leg of the European competition.
Chelsea are still unbeaten this season and will want to secure a first trophy for Sonia Bompastor who took over from Emma Hayes after she left at the end of last season.
Manchester City also have a new person at the helm after sacking Gareth Taylor at the start of this week, with Nick Cushing taking over as interim head coach.
