Chelsea back in League Cup final after semi-final win over Manchester United

Holders Chelsea women are back in the final of the League Cup after a dominant display against Manchester United on Wednesday night.

The Blues won their semi-final at Kingsmeadow 3-1 thanks to strikes from Pernille Harder (pictured), Jessie Fleming and Jess Carter.

Emma Hayes’ side, which was down to its bare bones due to long Covid and injuries, had striker Sam Kerr on the bench. She had only just returned from Australia in the Asian Cup and had a cameo role at the end.

Kerr will start Sunday’s crucial WSL match against Manchester City. Hayes said: “She only touched down in London on Tuesday morning.

“Normally I wouldn’t play her so quickly, but the front two of Harder and Fleming needed to rest at the end, they were overloaded. They ran 15 per cent more than normal.”

Also rested for that game was Fran Kirby, who will restart her prolific partnership with Kerr against City in a match Chelsea need to win to chase down leaders Arsenal.

Hayes is still without skipper Magda Eriksson, Maren Mjelde, and Melanie Leupolz. The first two are coming to the end of their long-term injuries, while Leupolz has long Covid.

Beth England is also a doubt for the weekend with a calf strain.

Hayes said of her missing players: “I don’t expect to see them back before the end of the next international window.”

But the Chelsea boss is still feeling confident. She said: “I really enjoyed that match on Wednesday. I knew it was coming.

“I’ve seen the growth of this group since Christmas and this squad is going from strength to strength. It was such a dominant display from us.

“We love being Conti Cup champions, and we knew the final was back here in London at AFC Wimbledon’s ground. The performance reminded me of Chelsea of old in how we dominated physically. Our football is getting better.

“We’re solving problems. They executed the game plan to perfection. My only disappointment is we conceded a goal when I don’t think we looked like conceding all night.”

Thomas Tuchel’s men’s side face Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup fourth round at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.