Manchester United Women could not claim their first League Cup trophy at Ashton Gate yesterday afternoon, with Chelsea retaining it having won it the previous year. It was three weeks since both sides had met in the FA Cup clash at Kingsmeadow that ultimately went in the Blues’ favour during extra time. It was an incredibly close game that saw United put in a mammoth effort.
Marc Skinner’s starting eleven saw two changes with Jayde Riviere returning from injury in place of Millie Turner. Elisabeth Terland also came in for Hinata Miyazawa, who is currently on international duty for Japan in the Asia Cup.
Defensive error costs us
Before the game kicked off, heavy rain lashed at the pitch making it even more slick to play on. It was an open start from both teams with Chelsea seeking to exert pressure early on. Elisabeth Terland was to have the first opportunity a couple of minutes in on Chelsea’s goal striking from distance forcing Hannah Hampton to turn it behind for the corner.
The Norwegian international was to get another chance in the 11th minute but her effort went wide of the goal. Chelsea responded through Lauren James whose strike went over the bar. Hannah Hampton was the busier of the two keepers again saving Ellen Wangerheim’s shot, which just lacked the necessary power behind it.
United were to be undone in the 19th minute when Dominique Janssen mistimed her pass back to Phallon Tullis-Joyce, with Lauren James nicking the ball to coolly slot the ball home to give the Blues the lead.
In response, the Reds continued to attack with Elisabeth Terland the most threatening as she shot from distance that caused concern for the Chelsea’s goalkeeper but was wide of the post. The Norwegian then hit the woodwork with a powerful effort bouncing over.
Chelsea had the opportunity to extend their lead as Alyssa Thompson broke free of the United defence. Maya Le Tissier raced back, putting in a last minute tackle to deny the forward. United had a golden opportunity to level the game on the stroke of half time. Melvine Malard crossed the ball into the box, but Ellen Wangerheim just put the ball past the wrong side of the post.
The Reds unable to find a way back in
United re-emerged for the second half and almost grabbed the equaliser when Lisa Naalsund capitalised on a Chelsea’s error before seeing her effort on goal parried away by Hannah Hampton. The Blues were then threatening our goal through a couple of corners they had. The Reds were unable to create many clear cut chances on the opposition goal.
In the 76th minute, Chelsea doubled their lead when United failed to get rid of an incoming cross as Aggie Beever-Jones was able to out muscle Hanna Lundkvist to toe poke the ball home past Phallon Tullis-Joyce. The Blues were firmly on top and sensed they could get another going close through Lauren James but Tullis-Joyce was there to deny them. The Reds rallied late on but with 2-0 deficit, Chelsea were able to defend their box and see out the victory.
Looking ahead
United return to league action with a trip away to West Ham on Wednesday evening as we look to keep our place inside the top three pushing for Champions League qualification for next season. We also have Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals at the end of the month / beginning of April to look forward to.
