Holders Chelsea reached a seventh successive final of the Women's League Cup with a narrow victory over rivals Manchester City at Joie Stadium.

Wieke Kaptein's header just before half-time was enough to see Chelsea over the line despite City missing a host of chances and hitting the woodwork twice.

Sonia Bompastor's side are attempting to defend the three domestic titles they won in the French manager's debut 2024-25 season.

City, who have a six-point lead over Chelsea in the Women's Super League title race, could have equalised through Vivianne Miedema and Kerstin Casparij but both hit the post.

Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was also kept busy, making crucial saves to deny Miedema and Yui Hasegawa in a busy second half.

But the Blues will relish the chance to earn more silverware when they face Manchester United - who beat Arsenal 1-0 on Wednesday - in the final at Ashton Gate on 15 March (14:15 GMT).

It is a competition that has been dominated by the WSL's traditional top four, but it is set to be the last opportunity a club competing in the Champions League will have to win the trophy with changes due to come in next season.

With their lead over Chelsea at the top of the WSL table, it is Manchester City who have had the upper hand over their old rivals so far this season.

This was another opportunity for Andree Jeglertz's side to wound Chelsea and stop the defence of one of their three domestic titles.

It was a strong team with Miedema and Alex Greenwood among those returning to the starting XI following their 6-0 win over Bournemouth in the FA Cup.

They had the best chance of a quiet opening half an hour when Khadija Shaw rounded Hampton on the edge of the box, but she was denied a shot at an open goal by Sandy Baltimore's brilliant last-ditch challenge.

City's sloppiness in possession began to open the door for Chelsea and the defending champions were clinical, taking the lead through Kaptein just before half-time.

But Jeglertz's side were still a threat and hit the woodwork twice through Miedema and Casparij, before dominating the second half and causing Chelsea all kinds of problems.

Hampton had to make a crucial save to deny Miedema later on as City searched for the equaliser.

The hosts thought they had finally found it in the third minute of stoppage time but Lauren Hemp could not provide the touch Miedema's cross needed from a few yards out, prompting widespread groans in the stands from supporters.

The wait for another trophy continues for City but with their eyes on the main prize of the WSL title, they will hope they can be more clinical when the teams meet again in two weeks' time.

"We definitely deserved more than a 1-0 defeat. We are here to compete for all titles so that's a big disappointment," said Jeglertz.

"But when we take a step back and look at the game, there are a lot of things we can be proud of.

"It's more positive for us because the players feel that if we can create this many chances in a top game, against a top competitor, it gives the team confidence."

Chelsea are no strangers to Manchester City having played them in the knockout stages of this competition seven times in the past nine seasons.

It was the first trophy won by Bompastor in her debut season, while it was City's last piece of silverware in 2022.

But it has not all gone Chelsea's way this campaign, with work to do in the WSL, and knowing they were facing City in the league in two weeks' time this was a crucial scene-setter.

It was not their best performance by any means and they were fortunate City could not put away their chances, but Chelsea did enough to get over the line.

"We always know our ambitions at the start of the season and showing that on the pitch is more important," said Bompastor.

"Of course, mentally it's always important to win, especially when you know you'll face them again. The game was defined by small margins.

"City have world-class players. It will be a tough game again so we will be ready for that as it's part of our DNA. Confidence-wise, it was important to win."

Kaptein's goal capitalised on a period of pressure as Chelsea took advantage of City's sloppiness and got the ball rolling in Manchester.

After scoring 10 goals in their first two wins of 2026 and keeping two clean sheets in the process, Chelsea came into the game in good form but this was a step up in opposition.

While they will be delighted to have reached the final, they know they will need to bring more quality against Manchester United in the final in Bristol.

Manchester City travel to London City Lionesses on Sunday (11:55 GMT kick-off) and host Chelsea again in the WSL on Sunday, 1 February (14:30).

Chelsea have another big game on Saturday (12:30) when they host WSL rivals Arsenal at Stamford Bridge before their next trip to City.

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