City bow out of League Cup following Chelsea semi-final defeat

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Manchester City Women

·21 de janeiro de 2026

City bow out of League Cup following Chelsea semi-final defeat

City's Subway Women's League Cup journey came to an end at the semi-final stage after a frustrating 1-0 defeat to Chelsea.

Wieke Kaptein’s header on the stroke of half-time proved the difference at the Joie Stadium as the Blues’ 16-match unbeaten run comes to an end.

Vídeos OneFootball

But with City hitting the woodwork twice and forcing several fine saves from Hannah Hampton, there were plenty of positive elements to take from the performance.

Nonetheless, the result means we bow out of the Subway League Cup at the last four stage, with Chelsea facing Manchester United in the final.

What happened

It was a bitterly cold night at the Joie Stadium, and it took both sides a little while to warm up, with the first real chance falling City’s way in the 19th minute.

Bunny Shaw was the player to get the sight of goal, beating Hampton to a loose ball, but with an open net in front of her Sandy Baltimore and Naomi Girma recovered just in time to stop her getting a shot off.

As the clock ticked towards the half-hour mark City again went close, as Alex Greenwood fired a free kick on the edge of the Chelsea box right into the wall before Yui Hasegawa fired wide on the rebound.

We hurtled closer to half-time and it looked as if it would be goalless, but that wouldn’t be the case as Kaptein headed the visitors ahead in the 41st minute after a teasing cross in from Baltimore.

City looked for an immediate reaction and after a beautiful ball played by Laura Blindkilde Brown to Shaw, it eventually fell to Miedema, who’s effort from the edge of the area ricocheted off the post.

The second 45 began as the first ended with City on top and another post hit, as Kerstin Casparij went close this time inside five minutes of the restart.

It was a really tight battle between the two sides at the Joie Stadium, but time was running out for City as we began to dominate.

The home side had seen most of the opportunities in front of goal and Hasegawa went close for the Blues again, but her curling effort was tipped over by Hampton, while the Chelsea stopper also made an excellent one-on-one save to deny Miedema.

City continued to push as the game crept into stoppage time, but the bitter evening would leave a frosty sting as, despite having the best chances of the game, we bow out of the Subway League Cup.

two top teams

It was a really tough battle between City and Chelsea at the Joie Stadium, to be expected from two really good sides who are both pushing for the Barclays Women’s Super League title.

City had more of the chances in front of goal, but on the night Chelsea took the opportunities and were more ruthless in front of goal.

midfield maestro

Yui Hasegawa had another brilliant game in the middle of the park and was once again a key figure in attacking situations.

The number 25 played some sublime forward balls into the front three with the clearest opportunity falling for Miedema, who was unlucky not to convert.

Hasegawa then went close herself in the 68th minute, forcing Hampton to punch her curling attempt over the bar.

Not only was she on top form going forward, but she also made some crucial tackles to stop Chelsea from advancing up the pitch at the other end.

city faithful

It’s not easy to sit for 90-plus minutes in the biting wind and cold, but once again you all turned up in fine voice to cheer us on.

Thank you all for your support under the lights at the Joie Stadium.

How we lined up

CITY XI | Yamashita, Rose, Knaak, Greenwood (C), Casparij (Beney 87’), Blindkilde Brown, Hasegawa, Hemp, Clinton (Coombs 63’), Miedema, Shaw

SUBS | Keating, Ouahabi, Prior, Thomas, Murphy, Lewis, Adedini

CHELSEA XI | Hampton, Carpenter, Bright (C), Nusken (Reiten 80’), Cuthbert, Thompson (Rytting Kaneryd 88’), Girma, Baltimore, Kaptein, Kerr (James 60’), Bronze

SUBS | Spencer, Peng, Buurman, Potter, Beever-Jones