Under new manager Sonia Bompastor, Chelsea Women broke their recent League Cup final heartache with a 2‑1 win over Manchester City at Pride Park Stadium, Derby – marking their third title in the competition.
This was Chelsea’s sixth consecutive League Cup final, having suffered three successive final defeats in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Now, they’ve reclaimed glory after previously lifting the trophy in 2020, 2021, and now 2025.
Route to the Final
Chelsea:
- Quarter’s: Dominant 4‑1 win over Tottenham – Lauren James instrumental.
- Semi’s: Tense 2‑1 derby win versus Manchester United; late drama sealed with a cool finish.
Manchester City:
- Quarter-final: Rout of Bristol City, 5‑0, with a Khadija Shaw hat-trick.
- Semi-final: Tactical upset over Arsenal, 2‑1.
The Final: Key moments
- 8′: Mayra Ramírez fires Chelsea ahead. Assisted by Lauren James, her initial shot saved, but she tapped in rebounding off City captain Laia Aleixandri
- 64′: Aoba Fujino levels with a powerful strike from distance
- 76′: A cross from Ramírez is deflected home by Yui Hasegawa—an unfortunate own goal seals the lead
Despite City dominating possession, Chelsea’s resilience and a slice of luck underlined the tight margins of cup finals.
Pride Park: Unusual Venue, Mixed Reviews
The Derby County stadium, with its 33,597‑seat capacity, hosted its first Women’s League Cup final since Day 2009. However, the pitch came under scrutiny: Bompastor and England’s Erin Cuthbert labelled it “substandard” and “bobbly” – “not fit for a final,”
Did You Know?
Arsenal (holders), Chelsea, and Manchester City entered directly at the quarter-final stage, thanks to their UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification.
Is that fair? It seeds elite clubs into the knockouts while others slog through group stages. Does it preserve quality—or hinder opportunity?
In her first season, Sonia Bompastor not only exorcised Chelsea’s finals demons but did it in a venue that stirred debate, rewriting the narrative under renewed leadership. It signals dynasty and transformation, all in one afternoon at Derby’s Pride Park.
