Chelsea

Manchester City v Chelsea, Champion's League Quarter Finals, 19.03.25

Hatty Ruddick

In what has turned out to be a home rematch, Manchester City, who by all accounts were the unlucky, but better team at the weekend will be looking to prove a point against the unbeaten Chelsea. Both who are still in the plagues of injury will need to win this first leg in the hope of qualifying for the semi-finals in Europe. Chelsea have registered Matilida striker Sam Kerr for this leg of the Champion's League, so fans will be hoping to see her return, as well as Walsh, Girma and Reiten who were missing at the weekend. City fans will be eagerly awaiting the team sheet to see with Fujino and Shaw confirmed as being injured from the front line. So far in the Champion's League while City impressed early on against Barcelona, they were second in the group. Chelsea, however, while unremarkable are unbeaten. This match will be the first time that the Joie stadium utilises VAR. 

City starting 11: Yamashita, Casparij, Prior, Aleixandri, Ouahabi, Roord, Hasegawa, Park, Kerolin, Fowler, Murphy

Chelsea starting 11: Hampton, Bronze, Björn, Bright, Baltimore, Cuthbert, Walsh, Beever-Jones, Macario, James, Ramírez.

City start with an early attempt from Kerolin that goes over. Chelsea also try for the early goal twice at 3 minutes that Yamashita pushes out. City bring their second attempt 5 minutes in, but Roord is called offside. Roord tries to recover at 9 minutes, but Hampton saves. The pairing of Yamashita and Hasegawa shines once again tonight. City are being clinical and could pull off a real blinder here, but they need to find Park. James and Beever-Jones are trying to pull off the goal, but Hasegawa is their enemy tonight. Murphy goes for another champions league goal, but the 19 year old's attempt is saved by Hampton, as is Fowle's a minute later. Stunning defence from Aleixandri as Ramírez looks to score, heading it out of the pitch during a dive. Ouahabi gives away a free kick for a foul on Ramírez. Baltimore takes and Ouahabi clears. Ramírez just cannot translate the attempts into goals so far. City's defence has picked up dramatically since Cushing's take over. Murphy goes again, but cannot make the goal. While Chelsea are dominating possession, and are recovering well from loose passes- particularly James, the hosts are doing well tonight. Goalless at half time. 

Changes at half-time, Miedema is on for Murphy. Macario is off for Kaptein.

Straight off the whistle from half-time Yamashita is called into action saving a shot from Beever-Jones. Walsh is already impressing in this half, not cracking under the pressure of her former team's defence. Casparij goes for her second ever City goal, but is wide. Ramírez wins another free kick after a foul from Prior. Bright's defence remains strong tonight, scuppering Kerolin's attempt. 

Changes for Chelsea. Walsh and James are off for Nüsken and Rytting Kaneryd. 

The half-tie change pays off. Miedema gets her goal after multiple attempts by multiple players within 30 seconds. 

Manchester City 1 - 0 Chelsea.

Kerolin's attempts and runs tonight are strong as she impresses the home crowd, but the Chelsea defence prove too strong. Bright and Hampton do well to clear Miedema's second attempt as Fowler is brought off for Coombs. Chelsea are pushing for this goal, and players think they have it until the goal is disallowed for being offside. Chelsea have thrown away this game in the last few minutes. They need to pick back up if they want to remain unbeaten. Bonpastor hopes to do this by bringing on Hamano for Ramírez. City hope to keep their lead, Blindkilde Brown is on for Park. Kerolin receives a yellow for an obstruction to Bright. Chelsea comes close with hitting the post and a reflex, but Yamashita saves. City are not crumbling under the pressure of Chelsea. Prior's defence against Hamano is particularly impressive for such a young player. Chelsea just cannot get this goal.  Last minute change for City. This is City's game. Miedema gets the second!

Manchester City 2 - 0 Chelsea.

Kerolin is off for the final few minutes for Layzell who makes her return post injury. City deliever Chelsea's first loss this season after loosing the Subway cup this weekend. There was a point to be proved and they have done it. 

Manchester City 2 - 0 Chelsea. 

14th April 2024 Manchester United v Chelsea FA Cup Semi-Final

Hatty Ruddick

Today's meeting is a re-match from last year's FA Cup final where the Red Devils narrowly missed out on the FA cup in a 1-0 loss at Wembley. Zelem's side are looking to take Chelsea's chances of the Treble this season with Arsenal winning the Conti Cup last month whereas Emma Hayes will be looking to finish her final season out strong with her 16th trophy if Chelsea make the final today. The Reds will be looking to match the mentality and physicality of Chelsea after an important international break fro many players on both sides. The big challenge for United today will be to ensure they are not conceding. While there has been a strong clean sheet record in the FA Cup campaign, this has not been replicated in the WSL with the conceding rate being double that of last season

Manchester United have had a strong FA Cup campaign with the aggregate scoring of this campaign being 12-1 to the Reds. However, in the past three meets between these two sides, Chelsea have won every game. 

Both teams have been plagued with long-term injury with the home side dealing with recent injuries with Rivere, Galton, Miyzawa, Watson, George and Simpson. Chelsea have had ACL ruptures from Kerr and Fishel and a long term injury of captain Bright.

This match does not bring the highly anticipated return of Lioness Millie Bright with the starting line ups as follows:

United: Earps, Le Tissier, Mannion, Blundell, Toone, Zelem (C), Galton, Naalsund, L. Garcia, Turner, Williams

Chelsea: Hampton, Perisset, Carter, Buchanan, Charles, Cuthbert (C), Leuploz, Kaneryo, James, Retien, Ramirez

First Half

In the opening minute of the match, United broke the deadlock with a header from Garcia. The home side demonstrated early dominance in advancing the ball up the pitch, much to the dissatisfaction of Coach Hayes, who wore a visibly displeased expression. While Chelsea put in considerable effort in defense, they struggled to retain possession against their opponents.

Three minutes into the game, the Blues attempted to turn the tide. A tackle between Lionesses James and Zelem sparked an on-pitch altercation, prompting the referee's intervention. Zelem gave away a free kick for holding James and pushing her while she had possession of the ball.

At the four-and-a-half-minute mark, Chelsea earned a corner but failed to capitalize on the opportunity, squandering a chance to redeem themselves. Just two minutes later, James took a shot that sailed wide and high, resulting in Earps' first goal kick of the game.

United seized their chance for retaliation, winning a foul that led to a free kick taken by SPOTY Mary Earps. As Earps successfully thwarted an attempt from a throw-in, the crowd's support indicated growing belief among the Reds. Despite a quick offensive play by United, Chelsea's defense, led by Hampton and Carter, stood firm.

A formidable strike from Chelsea's Rytting Kaneryd at the fifteen-minute mark was swiftly denied by Earps. A subsequent foul further up the pitch awarded United a free kick, which missed wide of Hampton's goal. Despite United's efforts to maintain pressure, Chelsea's Swedish attacker persisted, only to be stopped by Turner.

Turner's consistent defensive efforts earned commendation, as she effectively thwarted Chelsea's advances, particularly in James' attempt at the twenty-first minute mark. Toone's speed at the twenty-first minute was noteworthy, but her progress was halted by Carter's solid defense.

Ella Toone capitalized on an opportunity at the twenty-third minute, providing an assist to Williams who headed the ball into the net, securing a 2-0 lead for the home side. Chelsea endeavored to get on the scoreboard, but United's resilient defense, led by Galton, intercepted their attacks.

Captain Cuthbert attempted to narrow the deficit but narrowly missed, resulting in another missed opportunity for Chelsea. Despite dominating possession, Chelsea struggled to convert their opportunities into goals, contrasting with United's efficiency.

Kaneyard conceded a free kick after an impressive run from Blundell, much to the dismay of Chelsea's coach, Emma Hayes. Chelsea's sloppy mistakes persisted, prompting the coach's vocal instructions from the sidelines.

James had an opportunity at the thirty-fifth minute, but her shot veered wide, urging the referee to prompt Earps for a quicker goal kick. Chelsea's pace began to backfire, with Cuthbert committing her second foul against Blundell, resulting in a free kick for United.

At forty-one minutes, a collision between Mannion and Ramirez left Ramirez injured, requiring medical attention on the pitch. Despite the setback, Ramirez displayed resilience, returning to play after a brief pause. However, her subsequent chance at goal was saved by Earps.

Five minutes of added time saw Chelsea pushing for a goal, but their attempts were thwarted by United's defense. Chelsea's efforts finally paid off at the forty-ninth minute, with James scoring to narrow the gap to 2-1. The crowd's discontent was evident as United's Turner and Chelsea's James received yellow cards for their involvement in an altercation.

Second Half

No changes occurred for either side going into the second half. Chelsea's first opportunity to make an attempt in this half was thwarted by an offside decision, as Mary Earps kicked the ball long, pushing it up the pitch. Chelsea showed hunger, keeping the ball in their penalty zone for the majority of the first few minutes, but the Reds' defense held firm. Ramirez had a shot at the 48th minute, but it was blocked by Millie Turner. A Chelsea corner failed to produce results for the away side. James took a shot, saved by the national team goalkeeper, Mary Earps. After the goal kick, Niamh Charles conceded a foul, giving United a free kick and moving the ball up the pitch, resulting in a goal kick for Hannah Hampton, whose long kick moved the ball back up the pitch but failed to provide Chelsea with a successful chance. Leupolz brought Williams down, giving Zelem a free kick. While Chelsea demonstrated their hunger and passion, they were also giving away the ball in these fouls, which could have been avoided. This hunger was evident as James had another attempt on goal, saved at the 58th minute. So far, Chelsea's attempts were dominating the half, with United proving strong in defense, especially Mary Earps. The subsequent corner also ended without success.

Cuthbert went down at the 60th minute, attempting to win a free kick, while Mary Earps went down shortly after saving an attempt. Medics were called on to check the England goalkeeper. United made a change, substituting Toone for Ladd while Earps was still receiving attention. Earps was back up at the 64th minute and ready to continue. The game was interrupted a minute later with a Chelsea free kick in the penalty area after a foul by Le Tissier, resulting in a missed attempt. Garcia was awarded a yellow card for fouling Leupolz.

There were changes for United: Galton was replaced by Parris, and Williams was substituted for Maalard after sustaining an injury following a corner conceded by Earps. Chelsea made changes too: Nüsken came on for Reiten, and Buchanan was replaced by Macario. Chelsea's attack continued to dominate the half, with the ball staying in their half for the majority of the first half-hour. Cuthbert stayed down for a minute and a half until medics arrived. She was substituted for Fran Kirby. Rytting Kaneryd replaced Under 23s star Aggie Beever-Jones. Niamh Charles took over the captaincy from Cuthbert.

Mannion fouled Ramirez, giving the Blues a free kick and earning herself a yellow card. Parris quickly neutralized this threat for United but earned a yellow card for her foul. Earps then received a yellow card for time-wasting by walking around the goal with the ball. United's attack wasn't as potent as it was in the first half, with Hampton not having much to do in this stage of the game. Chelsea tested the Mancunian defense well. A change for Chelsea saw Perisset replaced by Lawrence ahead of a corner that didn't result in a goal. Earps was proving herself after being left out of the England starting 11 in the last international match against the Republic of Ireland.

An offside was called on a United chance, though the crowd initially believed a third goal had been scored. Earps went down again with five minutes to go, appearing to suffer an ankle injury. She got back up after a minute with a long kick, taking the time United needed to pass to reach the final. United were desperate for time to pass, but Chelsea prevented them from doing so, bringing the ball back to their side of the pitch.

Garcia went down with a foul from Chelsea, possibly resulting in the last free kick from Zelem. Eight minutes of added time relieved the blues. Hampton saved an attempt from Parris, when it seemed like it was over for Chelsea with no hope. United's attack and defense remained strong in the last eight minutes, with Earps taking as much time as possible, leading to a free kick taken by Hampton to bring all ten Chelsea outfield players as close to the box as possible. Chelsea attempted a shot at 95 minutes, going behind the goal. Hayes' chances of securing the triple were dwindling. United continued to press for the third goal.

Chelsea left nothing on the pitch, attempting shot after shot. The stadium was tense at the 97th and a half minute corner, which was weak and did not provide a chance. Ultimately, it was a final between Spurs and United in the FA Cup.