Chelsea Secure Their Place Within Subway League Cup Final

A London Derby awaited us in the first semi-finals of the Subway Women’s League

Cup, as Chelsea took on West Ham at Kingsmeadow. Chelsea cruised through to the

semi-finals, after smashing Durham 5-0. West Ham on the other hand, narrowly beat

Tottenham Hotspur, as they came from behind to win 2-1.

Chelsea coming into this game, were unbeaten at home in the Subway Women’s League Cup in six years, as they won all five of their games played here. This game looked to excite, would there be a shock or would Chelsea do what is expected?

The game began at 7pm (GMT), and Chelsea kicked off proceedings. They were in control from the start, as they were dominating the possession. Chelsea were trying to get through West Ham, and create chances, but West Ham were defending well.

In the 20th minute, Chelsea took the lead. Ashley Lawrence played a good ball into the box, but West Ham cleared it away. The clearance fell to Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, who took a few touches, before driving the ball into the bottom-right corner. 1-0 Chelsea.

Nine minutes later, Chelsea doubled their lead. Sjoeke Nusken intercepted the ball from Eva Nystom and passed it to Guro Reiten. Reiten immediately played her through, and Nusken rounded the keeper, before slotting the ball into the goal. 2-0 Chelsea.

West Ham slowly started to go out on the attack, as they were pushing to find a way back now. They were creating chances, but nothing was really causing problems for the Blues, as they were all over West Ham’s efforts.

HALF-TIME REACTION:

Chelsea are 2-0 up at the break and are in well control to place their spot in the League Cup final. They have been the better team by far and are deservedly leading. West Ham have defended well at times but haven’t caused Chelsea any problems attacking wise. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s strike towards goal was a good one to give Chelsea the lead, and Sjoeke Nusken awareness and reaction time was great to double Chelsea’s lead.

SECOND-HALF:

In the 51st minute, Chelsea had the chance to make it three. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd tried to play Mayra Ramirez through on goal, but the ball went behind her. Guro Reiten then, got the ball and played it to Niamh Charles, who had a shot towards goal. Her shot was blasted wide.

In the 69th and 72nd minute, both sides made changes. For Chelsea, Wieke Kaptein came on for Maika Hamano. For West Ham, Camila Saez and Dagny Brynjarsdottir replaced Eva Nystrom and Oona Siren.

Chelsea were defending phenomenally well, as they were closing in on West Ham attackers, and not letting them have any space to shoot towards goal. In the 77th and 81st minute, West Ham brought on Manuela Pavi for Riko Ueki and Chelsea brought on Oriane Jean-Francois for Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. Three minutes of additional time was added on, and Chelsea were minutes away from the Subway Women’s League Cup final. Three minutes went by, and the final whistle was blown. Chelsea won 2-0.

Chelsea reach a record sixth consecutive Women’s League Cup final. They will face either the holders Arsenal or Manchester at Pride Park on the 15th March. All will be revealed tomorrow, when Arsenal take on Manchester City at Meadow Park in the second semi-final.

Team news:

Chelsea played a 4-2-3-1 formation with Hannah Hampton in goal, alongside Ashley Lawrence, Nathalie Bjorn, Millie Bright, and Niamh Charles at the back.

In the midfield, Kiera Walsh made her first start since signing on Deadline Day, along with Sjoeke Nusken.

In the forward line, they played Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Maika Hamano, and Guro Reiten, with Mayra Ramirez at the top.

They made four changes to the side that beat Aston Villa in the WSL and four changes to the side that beat Durham in the quarter finals.

West Ham played a 3-5-2 formation with Kinga Szemik in goal, along with Eva Nystrom, Li Mengwen, and Shelina Zadorsky playing in the defence.

In the midfield, they played Kirsty Smith, Oona Siren, Viviane Asseyi, Katrina Gorry, and Verena Hanshaw.

At the top, they played Riko Ueki and Shekiera Martinez.

They made two changes to the side that lost to Liverpool in the WSL and seven changes to the side that beat Tottenham in the quarter finals.