Image source, Getty Images

So there we have it.

Chelsea take the first silverware of the season for a second year in a row as they swat Manchester United aside in the League Cup final.

At the very start of this live text we asked what colour the ribbons would be on the trophy come full time.

Well now we have the answer: Blue.

Blue is very much still the colour...

Bye for now.

Chelsea

Chelsea goalscorer Lauren James speaking to BBC Sport: "My Mum was here in the stands watching and I'm sure she will be proud today - a goal, a win and another trophy.

"Just the grit [was the difference today]. It's always a fight against Manchester United. Two great teams and it's always about the fine margins and we managed to do that today.

"Chelsea have always found a way to win whether we play good football or we've had a bad day at the office."

Fara Williams
Former England midfielder on BBC One

On Marc Skinner's comments about Chelsea's goals being "rubbish":

I don't like the comment about the goals being rubbish, I disagree with that heavily because you look at the opening goal, yes [Dominique [Janssen] made a mistake.

Lauren James has probably done enough with the pressure she's put on the defender and she's forced her to make a mistake and she has to put the ball in the back of the net. The second goal was a high press again, front footed from Chelsea and they actually turn the ball over in the Manchester United half to get the cross and the goal.

I can see his frustration but I also think the chances they created were all from distance. Hannah Hampton, England's number one goalkeeper will be quite happy with them taking shots from distance and they never got beyond them to create anything clear cut and I think that was a difference today.

Don't worry, you'll only be without women's football action for about two days.

Chelsea and Manchester United are back in action again on Wednesday, the Blues host Brighton and the Reds head to West Ham in their make-up league games that they missed because of today's final.

We'll be here to take you through those as always.

Rachel Brown-Finnis
Former England goalkeeper on BBC One

Chelsea have that hard veneer, that hard edge which today came out in relentless running. Defended from the front, all the way back through.

You think Hannah Hampton possibly had one save of note in the first half, a fizzer where it bounced just before.

Other than that, Chelsea did all their defending in front. They were hard to break down, hard to penetrate and when they got their chances they finished so efficiently.

They are still champions, if anyone ever doubted that then today is your answer.

That's all we've got to bring you on this live text.

If that's not enough for you then you can head to the 'report' tab to see BBC Sport women’s football news reporter Emma Sanders' verdict from Ashton Gate.

Spoiler- Chelsea had Manchester United's number (again).

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United

Manchester United Head Coach Marc Skinner speaking to BBC Sport: "I'm frustrated, so are the players. The play up the pitch was better than Chelsea's. We just need to be proactive in front of goal.

"I don't think it's a fear, we're rushing chances but we'll find the solution. Chelsea have been winning finals for ages, we have to be better in the final finishing phase.

"The lesson for us is to put the energy we gave today into the West Ham game, we can't wallow in defeat. We have to use it to project us forward. We've got great footballers, I want us to exploit more and be more aggressive.

"I'm going to do deep searching tonight, to make sure we can be ruthless in both boxes.

"Chelsea's goals were rubbish, from our perspective it won them the game, we have to challenge ourselves."

Fara Williams
Former England midfielder on BBC One

I thought Chelsea were exceptional today. With and without the ball you could see there was only one team determined to pick up this trophy.

They had a few injuries coming into this. They had to play Buchanan who's coming off a long-term injury. She was only able to play 60 minutes then Bjorn gets injured minutes after coming on, and having to shuffle the team the way they did and the way they saw the game out - I thought it was phenomenal.

Samantha Miller
Ex-Tottenham and West Ham player on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

From the off, it almost looked like Chelsea were going to find a way to win it.

They looked so assured and full of confidence. It is one of the most confident performances I've seen from them in a while.

They looked so comfortable in and out of possession. Even without the ball, they looked so aware of the threats and stopped everything coming their way.

Chelsea

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Ellen White
Former England striker on BBC One

It's going to be a huge disappointment. Man United probably felt this was the best time to face Chelsea.

They've got a great squad, great depth, they've been performing well . They lost to Chelsea in the FA Cup but they've gone 12 unbeaten and scoring a lot of goals, not conceding many.

This was a great chance for them to get their name written in the history books, so it's a huge disappointment. But they've got huge games coming up. They've got to retain their place in the Champions League.

Manchester United

Manchester United are the fifth side to lose on their League Cup final debut.

Still the only teams to have won the competition are Arsenal (7), Chelsea (4, with today's win) and Man City (4).

Image source, Reuters

Chelsea

Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor speaking to BBC Sport: "It means a lot, you play a final and you have an opportunity to get a trophy. I'm really pleased for my players, we have a big month with a lot of games and this is the best start.

On Veerle Buurman: "I love to work with the younger players. She's really performing at the highest level, she's young but has a lot of talent."

On Millie Bright return date and injuries: "I think Naomi Girma picked up a small injury in her calf. It's crucial in this time of the year to have all the players available. In a game like today when you need fresh legs it helps to have a big bench. No time line yet for Millie Bright, not for Wednesday but maybe the weekend.

Ellen White
Former England striker on BBC One

I think Chelsea showed a lot of resilience. It was interesting what Erin Cuthbert was saying, this is straight after the internationals, so they've not had a lot of time to prepare for this cup final. They've come straight in as a club.

They've done brilliantly well, it's a great win for them and it could be a catalyst for them moving forward.

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor speaking after Women's League Cup victory: "The emotions are really high. A lot of happiness because it's always difficult to play in a final and win. Sometimes, people just think because we are Chelsea, it's just a habit. But it takes a lot for my players to perform and grab a trophy.

"They deserve it and we need to celebrate. Really proud of my players. Every occasion, they just show up. They fought with the right mentality. Today was not easy. WE played as a team defensively. It's a real team effort.

"I said before kick-off that this game is the opportunity for us to create memories and that's what we did.

"I want to focus on players who are available but if you look at the squad this season, it's been tough. We have had some big injuries. Really important players who were not playing for us. But it just shows the quality we have in the squad."

On celebrations after victory: "My kids are here. Next step is for me to grab them and celebrate with them and the team. It's important to celebrate. You create the memories. I just want the players to celebrate a little bit but we are playing again on Wednesday an important game. But we are used to that and love to be in that position."

Sonia Bompastor joins Nick Cushing (Man City), Laura Harvey (Arsenal) and Shelley Kerr (Arsenal) in winning her first three cup finals as a WSL manager.

Only Emma Hayes (8) and Cushing (5) have won more cup honours than the Chelsea boss in the WSL era.

Image source, BBC Sport

Fara Williams
Former England midfielder on BBC One

There's been a lot of noise and that's because of what they've done with 18 trophies over a period of time where everybody expects and is so used to Chelsea winning.

And when they have a blip the way they did and losing back to back games the way they did against their competitors Manchester City and Arsenal, eyebrows are raised and questions are asked and that's what's happened.

I really think they proved themselves today. Even Aggie Beever-Jones when she came in had a point to prove and we saw that.

Stand-in skipper Erin Cuthbert and club captain Millie Bright are the last in line, collecting their medals before approaching the trophy.

They stand either side of the cup, grasp it with a hand each and loft it into the sky, with the gold ticker tape raining down second later.

Chelsea, winners again.

Image source, PA Media

Smiles all around as one by one the Chelsea players collect their winners medals.

It's been a tough season at times, not the smooth sailing, triumphant progress that they are accustomed to, but this trophy and winning feeling will make at least some of those frustrations melt away.

Chelsea's turn now, they start their walk up to the podium with a big huddle.

Injured skipper Millie Bright is the ring leader in the middle, starting off their latest sing along.