image via @chelseafcw
Chelsea FC:
Lineups: Hampton (GK), Bronze, Buchanan, Buurman, Baltimore, Walsh, Cuthbert ©, Nusken, James, Rytting Kaneryd, Thompson
Subs: Beever-Jones (46’) Bjorn (62’), Kaptein (67’)
Manchester United:
Lineups: Tullis-Joyce(GK), Le Tissier ©, Lundkvist, Park, Mallard, Terland, Riviere, Naalsund, Janssen, Zigiotti, Wangerheim
Subs: Rolfo(59’), Schuller(59’), Awujo (87’)
Chelsea take on Manchester United today in a bid to win the first domestic silverware of the season. Both teams entered the competition in December where Chelsea faced Liverpool and Manchester United hosted Tottenham Hotspur.
For Chelsea, a 9-1 win meant that they were through to the semi finals with ease, but for Manchester United, a winner from Fridolina Rolfo in the 86th minute meant that they too were through to the semis. Here, the red devils travelled to north London where they beat Arsenal 1-0 with thanks to Elisabeth Terland. The blues were much the same, travelling to the blue side of Manchester and also winning 1-0, a first half goal from Wieke Kaptein being the difference maker.
Chelsea took the kick off in the south west through Lauren James and it was her who won the first corner of the game within the same minute.
Sandy Baltimore, however took the corner short and United were able to disposess Chelsea meaning the reds were on the counter attack. Here Hannah Hampton made her first save of the game, knocking thr ball out for a corner.
With the opening stages looking even on both sides, it was Kadeisha Buchanan who made a crucial tackle to stop Elisabeth Terland from getting through on goal, in her first start in 16 months.
Elisabeth Terland once again had a chance for a shot on goal in the 11th minute, however the ball was taken well wide of the goal in her resulting shot.
Chelsea’s counter attack meant that Lauren James found herself in open space before the fifteenth minute mark, and with an effortless pass from Keira Walsh, the attacker had the chance to shoot on goal, this however went just wide of the cross bar, resulting in a goal kick for the reds.
A mistimed run from Erin Cuthbert in the 19th minute meant that Ellen Wangerheim was allowed through on goal, however, the Sweden international couldnt quite get the shot off, forcing Hannah Hampton into yet another save.
A Manchester United throw-in was met by a shaky touch from Domnique Janssen, allowing Lauren James to collect the ball on the right hand side, shooting directly into the back of the net from outside the 6 yard box.
Manchester United responded accordingly however, with Lisa Naalsund blocking Keira Walsh’s pass and linking up with Julia Zigiotti who passed the ball out to Melvine Malard, the forward’s cross however proved too heavy for her companions, soaring past the goal and out for a Chelsea throw.
At the half way point of the first half, Sandy Baltimore barged Jess park off the ball in a fantastic effort to dispossess the England international inside the box, Chelsea’s counter attack led to a throw in inline with the opposite box.
Just three minutes later, United were on the attack once again, however Dutch youngster Veerle Buurman was able to put in a crucial tackle to switch the ball to the other side of the pitch where the resulting shot was sent just wide of the far post.
Erin Cuthbert found the ball in the 33rd minute after a miscommunication in the opposition’s defence, and with her quick feet, today’s captain was able to get a shot off from range, this was however shot well wide of goal.
The Chelsea captain once again had an opportunity on goal, running in from range however despite the improvement on her previous attempt, this too what shot over the cross bar.
Just minutes later, Alyssa Thompson found herself 1-on-1 with the United Keeper; however, a touch too much meant that the ball was olayed directly into the gloves of Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Moments before half time, United were on the attack once again, with an accidental nod forward from Buurman which gave Melvine Malard the ball, the Dutch international however, was able to recover the attempted pass to Wangerheim,
With 1 minute added time announced, United had one final bid for an equaliser before the whistle, this however was met by Hannah Hampton who met the ball in the dying stages
Half time: Chelsea 1- 0 Manchester United
With a switch of sides, Aggie Beever-Jones took to the field in place of Alyssa Thompson ahead of the second half.
Lauren James came close to both hers and Chelsea’s second in the 53rd minute, the ball however her run went out of bounds before she could get her shot off.
Lauren James recieved the first card of the game in the 56th minute due to a dodgy tackle on Julia Zigiotti after being dispossessed by the Sweden international.
Chelsea earned themselves another corner in the 58th minute, Sandy Baltimore finding in which the rebound was sent back into the box, finding the head of Kadeisha Buchanan who headed the ball just wide of goal
Fridolina Rolfo replaced Jayde Riviere and Lea Schuller replaced Ellen Wangerheim in the 59th minute in a bid to find an equaliser for the red devils.
Nathalie Bjorn replaced Kadeisha Buchanan in the 62nd minute, the Swedish internaational making her return from injury after more than three months. This moment however was short lived, with the defender going down on the ball after just 3 minutes and signalling to come off the field just moments later. Wieke Kaptein replaced the defender in the 67th minute.
Lauren James was able to feed the ball into the box in the 70th minute, coming close to the head of Aggie Beever-Jones, Maya Le Tissier got there first however, nodding the ball backwards and forcing Phallon Tullis-Joyce into a high save.
In the 77th minute, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd broke free down the right flank, crossing the ball to Aggie Beever-Jones, the academy graduate was able to chest the ball down and get her boot to it, doubling the defecit infront of the Blues fans.
5 minutes later, Lauren James was through on goal again, with defenders leavingher in yards of space, the England international was able to shoot at goal, however Tullis-Joyce was there to knock the ball out for a corner, this however led to nothing.
In the 86th minute Mamchester United made the final sub of the game, bringing Simi Awujo on in place of Julia Zigiotti.
The substitute earnt the red devils a corner in the final minutes of normal time in a final bid to get a goal, however, even with Phallon Tullis-Joyce in the box, the northern team were unable to find the net.
With 8 minutes of added time on the clock, Lexi Potter replaced Lauren James in the middle, with the youngster taking on a slightly different role to usual.
The 94th minute saw yet another attempt from Manchester United sore above the goal.
Full time: Chelsea 2 – 0 Manchester United
An impressive performance from both teams today, however it was Chelsea who sealed the victory at Ashton Gate, adding to their trophy cabinet once more to retain the title.
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