“`html
Manchester United have reached their first League Cup final following Wednesday’s 1-0 win over 10-player arsenal. Marc Skinner’s side will face Chelsea, who are into their seventh consecutive final after defeating olivia Smith was shown a second yellow card and trudged off the pitch in the 61st minute. She will miss the vital WSL clash with Chelsea on Saturday, which is arguably worse than going down to 10 players during the League Cup semifinal.
Arsenal’s season has been summarised by their profligacy, and their wastefulness has now cost them a shot at a trophy. They still have four chances left at silverware — one more than their opposition with their participation in the champions Cup – but with spirits already dropping it is indeed far from the confidence boost the team would have been looking for.
Another lacklustre performance in front of goal on Saturday against Chelsea in the WSL, and Arsenal could be out of the title race altogether.
For United, however, it is a mark of their growing ability to pressure top four sides. Though their inconsistency in the league has meant fans have questioned their ability to be domestically dominant, and weather they deserve to be so, claiming the bragging rights over Arsenal to reach the League Cup final — Arsenal won the 2023 and 2024 editions — shows that possibly the side were judged prematurely.
Manchester City 0-1 Chelsea
Despite City taking a storming lead in the WSL, six points ahead of Chelsea at the top of the table, it was the holders of the both the league and cup who have ensured that they have a chance at the first piece of silverware this season.
It was fairly even first half: Chelsea had seven chances; City had six. But it was the visitors who had the better of the opportunities, resulting in Wieke Kaptein breaking the deadlock. City defended nine corners before a reworked set piece from Sandy Baltimore — who had been denied several times prior — found an unchallenged Kaptein in the box who headed home with ease. it was almost cancelled out moments later, though, but
The final
First-time finalists United and holders Chelsea — also three-time winners — will meet at Ashton Gate,bristol,on March 15,in a rematch of the 2024 FA Cup final. Having drawn 1-1 in the league previously, Chelsea and Man United will also face off in the fifth-round proper of the FA Cup on Feb. 22, just before the international break and will meet once again on the final day of the season on may 16.
