Regardless of their current form, Chelsea always seems destined to win trophies.
Their success has become almost habitual, though manager Sonia Bompastor downplays that notion.
Heading into Sunday’s Women’s League Cup final, Chelsea faced pressure after a dip in the Women’s Super League standings and some off-field turmoil.
Criticism was mounting, with Bompastor’s choices under close examination and doubts arising.
Could they finally be beaten in a final?
The answer was a definitive no.
Bompastor has led her team to three domestic cup finals, winning each one, including two victories over Manchester United.
The 2-0 win against United at Ashton Gate served as a potent reminder of Chelsea’s readiness, reinforcing their status as the team to beat.
“The emotions are incredibly high. There’s a great sense of joy because winning a final is always challenging,” Bompastor remarked.
“Some people think it’s just routine for Chelsea, but it requires immense effort from my players to deliver and secure a trophy. They consistently rise to the occasion, demonstrating the right mentality and teamwork. It wasn’t easy, but we played solidly defensively.”
Chelsea ‘demonstrated their resilience’ amid scrutiny
Chelsea entered the match with an impressive track record against United, having won all of their cup final encounters and dropped points in just two of their last 12 league matches.
However, with injuries and absences for the Asian Cup affecting their lineup, Chelsea was, to some extent, a diminished squad, though United was also missing key players like Hinata Miyazawa and Ella Toone.
There was a sense that this was United’s best opportunity to defeat Chelsea, amid their opponents’ vulnerabilities and slight chinks in their formidable mentality.
Nevertheless, Chelsea’s key strength lies in their ability to drown out external noise, rebound from setbacks, and ultimately secure victories.
After 90 minutes, it was once again Chelsea who lifted the trophy, with jubilant Blues fans celebrating in the stands and Lucy Bronze delightedly playing in the gold confetti.
Bronze, now with her 24th club trophy, assisted Bompastor in bringing her children onto the pitch for a Mother’s Day celebration, eagerly tapping the trophy as she received her medal, yearning to hold it fully.
As the team gathered in a huddle, Bompastor offered some final words while United’s captain Maya Le Tissier and manager Marc Skinner appeared to engage in a frustrated discussion in the center circle.
Once again, United stumbled against Chelsea – but for the Blues, it was business as usual.
“There’s been a lot of chatter around Chelsea, which stems from their success in winning 18 trophies over time,” said former England midfielder Fara Williams on BBC One.
“People now expect Chelsea to win, and when they experience a dip, it raises eyebrows and prompts questions.”
“I truly believe they have reaffirmed their strength today.”
Since the introduction of the Women’s League Cup in 2011, only three teams have claimed the trophy: Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City.
Chelsea completed a domestic treble in the 2024-25 season, remaining unbeaten under Bompastor’s leadership.
Due to changes coming next season, it’s likely they won’t have the opportunity to defend this title again, especially with teams engaged in the Women’s Champions League – a competition Chelsea aspires to join – not participating in this tournament.
This victory was significant not only for title defense but also to silence critics and savor success one last time.
“I reminded the players before the match that finals are always special opportunities,” Bompastor noted. “Achieving this once more is remarkable, especially on Mother’s Day with my kids here. They are my greatest support, so being able to celebrate together is wonderful.”
Can Chelsea build on their League Cup success?
Following their triumph in the League Cup, can Chelsea continue to pursue further silverware?
Their next challenge is against Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals, followed by a clash with Tottenham in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
In the WSL, they have a ten-point gap to bridge with Manchester City, although with a game in hand.
Former England striker Ellen White stated on BBC One that Chelsea’s win over United could act as a “catalyst,” a sentiment echoed by goalscorer Lauren James, who remarked: “Winning is in our DNA; we always find a way, no matter how we play. We make it hard for opponents to beat us.”
“We need to use this victory to build momentum and move closer to our goals,” James added.
Bompastor will soon welcome back Ellie Carpenter and Sam Kerr from the Asia Cup, and defender Kadeisha Buchanan returned from injury against United.
However, it was unfortunate to see Nathalie Bjorn return after three months only to sustain a calf injury just minutes into her appearance.
Yet, Chelsea’s successful run provides a solid foundation as they enter a critical phase of their season.
“We recognized this segment of the season would be pivotal, and it represents the business end,” Bompastor explained. “We know what is required and the mindset we need to maintain. Starting with this trophy is the optimal approach. With our confidence on the rise, I believe we can achieve a lot. We have immense quality and talent in the squad, and I am very optimistic about our potential.”
Ultimately, Chelsea has sent a powerful message to their rivals.
“They remain the champions. If anyone doubted that, today provided a clear answer,” noted former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis.
[BBC]
Don’t miss Ben Haines, Ellen White, and Jen Beattie in the new season of the Women’s Football Weekly podcast. New episodes are released every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, featuring interviews and additional content from the Women’s Super League and beyond. Listen to the Women’s Football Weekly feed