Chelsea marched into their sixth successive Subway Women’s League Cup final courtesy of a 2-0 win over West Ham, before a Mary Fowler brace saw Manchester City knock out holders Arsenal with a 2-1 win.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd opened the scoring on 20 minutes for Chelsea when she fired home from just inside the area, beating Hammers goalkeeper Kinga Szemik at the near post.
Just nine minutes later, Sjoeke Nusken seized possession after a loose pass across the backline and rounded Szemik to slot home and double the advantage.
Lionesses star Keira Walsh was making her first start for the Blues following her arrival from Barcelona and slotted seamlessly into the midfield as her new side started on top.
Chances were at a premium, however, until Rytting Kaneryd’s opener but the visitors responded well and forced an opportunity for Shekiera Martinez, who couldn’t keep her effort down, before Viviane Asseyi charged down Hannah Hampton’s clearance only to see the ball roll wide.
Another day, another Sjoeke x Mayra celebration! 🤩@ChelseaFCW #SubwayWLC pic.twitter.com/96zBHKUPEL
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) February 5, 2025
The Hammers were the architects of their own downfall for the second goal, Nusken ruthlessly capitalising on a loose pass, and they were unable to find a way back into the game after the break as Chelsea kept their dreams of a quadruple alive.
It was third time unlucky for Arsenal who have been crowned champions in the previous two years of the competition as City earnt victory over the side they had suffered 4-3 defeat to in the league at the weekend.
Kerolin Nicoli was handed her first start for the visitors after signing in January, though she was made to wait 30 minutes longer after kick-off was delayed.
Once the game was under way, Fowler soon put City ahead after 26 minutes in what proved to be a dominant first half for the visitors.
A storming run from Vivianne Miedema, following a turnover in possession in City’s half, teed the Australian up well to unleash a stinging shot across the goal from the right of the box.
But City failed to capitalise further on their advantage before half-time and were made to pay after the break.
Mariona Caldentey made no mistake from the spot after Rebecca Knaak fouled Stina Blackstenius in the box in the 58th minute, putting the Gunners back on level terms.
Mary Fowler finds the back of the net from outside the box!#SubwayWLC @ManCityWomen pic.twitter.com/bjAZN0pzkp
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) February 6, 2025
It looked like City would return the favour just three minutes later when Fowler went down in the box under pressure from Lotte Wubben-Moy and Kyra Cooney-Cross.
The referee pointed to the spot once more, but Fowler could not double her tally as Daphne van Domselaar got a glove up to her left to palm the penalty away.
Fowler, though, would make up for the miss and seal her side’s place in the final in the last minute of added time.
Receiving the ball on the edge of the box, she turned to strike into the bottom corner to confirm victory and send the 2022 champions through to the final.
