MANCHESTER, 21 JANUARY – With both teams having won their last five matches, Chelsea edged Manchester City 1-0 in the Women’s League Cup semi-final on Wednesday at the Joie Stadium, with Wieke Kaptein slotting home her second goal of the campaign this season.
Dutch midfielder Kaptein headed a powerful goal past Japanese goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita in the 41st minute after a corner from Sandy Baltimore, giving Chelsea the lead in the first half after nine corners.
“I think they [Manchester City] will keep the same philosophy as being the team that wants to possess the ball, but they are more vertical and efficient in the final third,” said Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor in a pre-match interview. “They are really good, and we know we are going to face a big challenge.”
Chelsea defender Lucy Bronze earned herself a yellow card in the 21st minute after a high boot foul on fellow Lioness Lauren Hemp, which displayed one of five total tackles in the first half from the Blues.
Dutch right-back Kerstin Casparij struck the post with a half-volley in the 50th minute before Hannah Hampton produced a series of saves to deny Manchester City, tipping a Bunny Shaw effort over the crossbar and later denying a clear chance following a Yui Hasegawa through-ball.
Shaw missed an opportunity to score into an empty net in the 19th minute after Hemp drew Hampton out of position, but Baltimore applied enough pressure to force the shot wide.
City nearly equalised before halftime when Hampton vacated her goal to challenge Shaw, who squared the ball to Vivianne Miedema for a shot that struck the post.
“I think right now City is really performing well and I think it will be a good game,” Bompastor said in a pre-match interview. “It’s really exciting to face a team with good form.”
In a final bid from City, Hemp failed to connect with a pass from Miedema in the final two minutes of stoppage time, missing a chance to score from close range.
The Blues now turn to the final game in the Women’s League Cup Final against Manchester United on 15th March at Ashton Gate Stadium.
