Holders produced a ruthless display to thrash 9-1 and book their place in the semi-finals of the Women’s League Cup, while also advanced with a commanding victory.
Chelsea’s performance underlined their status as favourites to retain the trophy, as they overwhelmed a struggling Liverpool side at Kingsmeadow. Star striker set the tone early, scoring twice to give the Blues a firm grip on the contest before the interval.
Swedish winger was the standout performer of the night, registering a superb hat-trick as Chelsea’s relentless attacking play tore through Liverpool’s defence. Midfielder added two more goals, while and captain also found the back of the net to complete an emphatic scoreline.
Liverpool’s sole response came through defender , who headed home from a set-piece to briefly restore some pride. However, the result compounded a difficult period for the Merseyside club, who have now failed to win any of their last four matches across all competitions and remain rooted to the bottom of the Women’s Super League table.
Chelsea’s victory sets up a heavyweight semi-final clash away to Manchester City, who were equally convincing in their quarter-final tie. City cruised to a 5-1 win over , showcasing their attacking depth and intent.
The Manchester side made a blistering start, racing into a two-goal lead inside the opening 10 minutes through and England international . West Ham briefly threatened a comeback when fired home a powerful strike in the 26th minute, but any hopes of an upset were quickly extinguished.
City responded with authority, as goals from , prolific striker , and midfielder sealed a dominant win and confirmed their progression to the last four.
The remaining two semi-final spots were claimed by and , both of whom came through competitive encounters against determined opposition.
Arsenal, seven-time winners of the Women’s League Cup, recorded a 2-0 victory over . Defender opened the scoring after 20 minutes with a looping header, giving the Gunners control of the tie.
Despite dominating possession, Arsenal were unable to extend their lead until deep into stoppage time, when striker finally put the game beyond doubt. Palace, the only Barclays Women’s Super League 2 side remaining in the competition, earned plaudits for their spirited performance, which was watched by a record crowd of 3,040 at the VBS Community Stadium — a significant milestone for the club.
Meanwhile, Manchester United edged past with a narrow 2-1 win in a rematch of last weekend’s thrilling 3-3 draw in the WSL. Spurs struck first through , putting pressure on Marc Skinner’s side early in the contest.
United responded strongly in the second half, with goals from and Sweden international turning the tie around and securing their place in the semi-finals.
The confirmed semi-final fixtures will see Arsenal host Manchester United, while Chelsea travel to face Manchester City in what promises to be a high-quality encounter between two of England’s strongest sides. Both ties are scheduled to be played over 21 and 22 January, with a place in the final at stake.
With the competition now entering its decisive stage, attention will turn to whether Chelsea can successfully defend their crown, or if one of their traditional rivals can deny them and lift the trophy. The line-up guarantees drama, quality, and a compelling showcase of women’s football at the highest domestic level.
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