Chelsea and Manchester United will face each other in the League Cup final following 1-0 victories over Manchester City and Arsenal. Wednesday’s 1-0 victory over Arsenal, the League Cup’s most successful side with seven wins, saw United reach the final of the League Cup for the first time in their history. Meanwhile, Chelsea, who beat Man City by the same scoreline at Joie Stadium, will contest the final for the seventh successive season, with hopes to augment their tally of League Cup final tri
Wednesday’s 1-0 victory over Arsenal, the League Cup’s most successful side with seven wins, saw United reach the final of the League Cup for the first time in their history.
Meanwhile, Chelsea, who beat Man City by the same scoreline at Joie Stadium, will contest the final for the seventh successive season, with hopes to augment their tally of League Cup final triumphs to four.
The League Cup final will take place on March 15 at 2:15 pm (9:15am ET; 6:15 PT) at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate.
Then there were two.
Will it be @ChelseaFCW or @ManUtdWomen lifting the #SubwayWLC trophy in Bristol? 👀 pic.twitter.com/tG8Wti41SY
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) January 21, 2026
Both teams found breakthroughs in the final minutes of the first halves of their semi-finals.
Chelsea’s Wieke Kaptein opened the scoring at when she headed home Sandy Baltimore’s cross from the right past City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.
Chelsea, the current holders of the competition having defeated City last season 2-1 on their way to an historic domestic treble, edged a fiercely-contested affair. Sonia Bompastor’s side did well to contain City’s attacking threats of Lauren Hemp, Khadija Shaw and Vivianne Miedema and take advantage of their host’s wastefulness.
For Chelsea, the victory represents a potential mental advantage in the ongoing Women’s Super League title race. City currently lead Chelsea by six points after 12 matches, having won every league match since the 2-1 opening weekend defeat to Chelsea in September.
The two sides face each other in the league on 1 February.
United meanwhile, claimed a 1-0 victory over Arsenal at Boreham Wood courtesy of Elisabeth Terland’s goal just before half-time.
The Norway striker finished smartly in the bottom corner after a goalkeeper error from Arsenal’s Anneke Borbe, who saw her pass intended for Mariona Caldentey intercepted by United’s January signing Ellen Wangerheim, who then laid it off for Terland.
Arsenal were reduced to 10 players after forward Olivia Smith was sent off after a second caution for a challenge on Julia Ziggioti in the 61st minute. Smith will consequently miss Arsenal’s Women’s Super League match against Chelsea on Saturday.
Arsenal again dominated possession on Wednesday night but toiled to threaten United’s defence or beat goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, as was the case in the teams’ two goalless draws in the league this season. Smith’s sending off compounded a difficult night for Renee Sleger’s side.
Arsenal again dominated possession on Wednesday night, even after Smith’s sending off. However, they toiled to threaten United’s defence or beat goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, as was the case in the teams’ two goalless draws in the league this season.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Women's Soccer
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Category: General Sports
