Lauren James and Aggie Beever-Jones scored to secure Chelsea a 2-0 win over a poor Manchester United as Sonia Bompastor’s side retained the Women’s League Cup.
James’ first-half strike against her former club after a Dominique Janssen mistake put her side in control, and substitute Beever-Jones netted on 75 minutes, allowing the Blues to cruise to victory in their seventh consecutive final in the competition.
Marc Skinner described Chelsea’s goals as “rubbish” but his team’s lacklustre performance saw them succumb to their 16th loss in 20 games against the Blues as their wait for a second piece of major silverware goes on.
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Lauren James scores for Chelsea against Manchester United in the Women’s League Cup final.
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A frenetic start to the game produced early chances for both sides, but it was Chelsea who took the lead after Janssen’s miscued back-pass sent James one-on-one with the ‘keeper, and the England winger made no mistake as she dispatched a near-post finish past a flailing Phallon Tullis-Joyce in the Man Utd goal.
Skinner’s side, despite being second-best, almost responded on the brink of half-time when Ellen Wangerheim failed to convert a tantalising Melvine Malard cross from point-blank range in their best chance of the opening period.
Chelsea, who had taken control of the second half after an early flurry of Man Utd chances, suffered a blow when Nathalie Bjorn broke down in tears after suffering a severe looking non-contact calf injury two minutes into her first substitute appearance since November.
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Aggie Beever-Jones puts Chelsea 2-0 up against Manchester United in the Women’s League Cup final.
But a determined Beever-Jones then latched onto a dangerous Johanna Rytting Kaneryd cross to toe-poke home and put the game beyond the Red Devils’ reach.
A flurry of stoppage-time chances – the best falling to Malard – proved too little, too late for Skinner’s side as Chelsea held out to deservedly win their fourth Women’s League Cup title.
Bompastor: Winning titles is what Chelsea is about
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Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor reflects on her side’s victory over Manchester United in the Women’s League Cup final and how this will help boost momentum for the final stretch of the season
Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor, speaking to Sky Sports:
“When you come into a final you always have pressure, but I think it’s good pressure. You want to be involved in these games, to win titles. That is what Chelsea is about. I’m really proud of our players today.
“We scored a really good goal with LJ [Lauren James]. In these games, you know it’s fine margins. We exploited a mistake they made. Leading 1-0 really helped us.
“In the second half, we were efficient. It’s a big statement to not concede against Man Utd and scoring twice in a final is good.
“I just said before the game – there are things we can’t control. We are going into the business end – we need to focus on the things we can control. I know I have the quality to achieve big things this season.
“It’s been a tough season – a transitional season – but I still think we can achieve more. Part of our DNA is to work hard and not take anything for granted. That’s what we’re going to do.”
Skinner rues ‘rubbish’ Chelsea goals
Man Utd boss Marc Skinner:
“It’s more about where we can be more ruthless. We’ve got great footballers and I want to see how we can exploit an opponent more. Set pieces – I want us to be way more aggressive. I want teams to hurt from it.
“You have to use the frustration of the emotion of losing because it doesn’t feel good. Switch on, be the first to every drop down – the ugly parts of the game.
“Chelsea’s goals are rubbish. They’re rubbish. But that’s on us.
“That’s OK. We understand that. Fair play and credit to them. They’re better at doing that than most teams.
“I want us to take that place, as well as the pretty football we can do. I want us to be more ruthless in those boxes and it’s a mentality I’m going to etch into my team.”
Bronze: Cup win gives us motivation
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Lucy Bronze and Lauren James react to Chelsea winning the Women’s League Cup.
Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze, speaking to Sky Sports:
“Exciting game from start to finish. We started strong and deserved the goal. LJ’s pressing was brilliant. There was a bit of battle at the end when United threw everyone up. It was an exciting game to play in – I think to watch as well.
“It’s always special to win trophies, no matter what trophy it is. This one is an unusual one because it’s not at the end of the season. It gives us a little push, motivation, to keep going knowing that you’ve already got a bit of silverware.
“We fully deserved it today. It gives us confidence going into the rest of the season.
“We can celebrate without alcohol – we’re all adults. But we’ve got a big month – we need to be professional and stick to it.”
