That’s all from me today. Thank you for reading this minute-by-minute coverage. I’ll leave you with Suzanne Wrack’s match report.
Alessia Russo speaks to BBC Two about Frida Maanum: “Obviously it’s devastating to see one of your teammates go down like that and we’re all wishing and praying that she’s okay. I think it was written in the stars that her best mate [Stina Blackstenius] went and scored the winner for her. Obviously Frida’s a massive player and she plays with every single bit of her body and she did that today. We just hope she’s okay.”
Your 2024 #ContiCup Winners! 🏆@ArsenalWFC pic.twitter.com/FdIqR4Bx3a
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 31, 2024
STINA BLACKSTENIUS FINDS THE BREAKTHROUGH! 😱
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 31, 2024
The @ArsenalWFC forward fires the ball into the bottom right! #ContiCup pic.twitter.com/BTfJ0ZV8xV
Eidevall also sheds light on his heated exchange with Emma Hayes: “We had a discussion before the game where both clubs has to agree whether we’re going to play with a multiple system or not. Chelsea said they only wanted to play with one ball and we said we wanted to play with multiple. And then when it suits them in the last minute of the game, when they want to take another ball to take a quick throw-in, then all of a sudden they want to use that [multiple system]. I only said that ‘you guys wanted to play with one ball’ so it’s not my problem. But it’s all good I think. It’s just in the heat of the moment.”
Jonas Eidevall speaks to BBC Two about the medical team’s response when Frida Maanum went down: “I think we trust our medical team. We got really good information from them as well. But to be fair, the game we had against Chelsea last time, I think we managed that game really poorly from a stress response situation. And we’ve been speaking a lot about how we can do that better, how we perform better under pressure, how we communicate better, more clear about what is in our control and what is not. And the players did excellent with that today.”
Arsenal are the Continental Cup Winners for 2024
Arsenal receive their winners medals in front of their adoring fans. Kim Little and Leah Williamson then lift the trophy together, backed by the rest of the team and coaching staff. Let the celebrations begin!
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Chelsea receive their runners-up medals. They haven’t had much luck in this competition as defeat today marks their third consecutive loss in the League Cup Final.
Chelsea’s quadruple dream is over after today’s defeat. Perhaps their congested fixture list has caught up with them. They lacked energy in the closing stages of the game.
North London Forever rings out as the Arsenal fans celebrate their team’s victory. It seemed written in the stars after the suspension in play. The longer the game went on, the more likely they looked to score.
Eidevall is jubilant with his arms outstretched and smile wide. On the contrary, Hayes is annoyed as she has a shove and some choice words for Eidevall on the touchline.
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Full time after extra time: Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
Arsenal have done it! They’ve beaten Chelsea in the League Cup for the second successive season.
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120 min: Two minutes of additional time …
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120 min: Macario goes down in the box as Chelsea search for something, anything. There’s no merit in the penalty appeals though but she wins a corner.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea (Blackstenius 115')
Blackstenius has put Arsenal in front! Arsenal go on the attack again with Foord causing more problems for the Chelsea defence. She cuts the ball back for Blackstenius who bundles the ball into the goal past Hampton. Redemption for Blackstenius after her earlier chance.
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124 min: The game is opening up. Kyra Cooney-Cross, who came on as an extra time substitute, plays as lovely pass to Foord as Arsenal break. Russo’s effort is straight at Hampton though.
122 min: The Chelsea fans have found their voice too and are cheering the players on. The support from both sets of supporters has been magnificent.
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119 min: Fantastic challenge from Buchanan. Foord is set free on the left for Arsenal and beats Carter in the box. Buchanan covers for her teammate though and makes a crucial block, denying Foord and keeping Chelsea in the game.
116 min: That should be a goal! A loose ball finds its way to Russo who lofts a ball over the top to Blackstenius. She’s through on goal but instead decides to shoot first time. She shoots over the bar though, perhaps not realising how much time she had.
Second half in extra time
Arsenal get us going again.
Half time in extra time
Both sets of players are experiencing fatigue with a couple of them suffering from cramp too. Only sheer will power will win the game at this stage.
115 +1 min: Arsenal look more dangerous than Chelsea in the late stages. Their fans are getting behind them, urging them on to win the game.
112 min: Having said, Arsenal float a ball into the box, onto the head of McCabe. Her effort flies past the left hand post but it wouldn’t have counted anywhere as it’s flagged for offside.
100 min: There haven’t been any chances so far in extra time. The stoppage and additional minutes have understandably taken the momentum out of the game.
99 min: According to the BBC Two commentary team, Maanum is “conscious, talking and in a stable condition.”
Frida is conscious, talking and in a stable condition.
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) March 31, 2024
She will continue to be monitored closely by our medical team.
We're all with you, Frida ❤️
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96 min: Catarina Macario comes on for Nüsken. Some fresh legs may inject some more energy into the game.
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92 min: Neither side has been able to keep hold of the ball for any extended period in extra time. There are some tired legs out there.
Extra time begins
91 min: Chelsea get the game back underway.
Full time Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea
We enter extra time as it remains all square after 90 minutes. The stoppage in play has given the game a different feel as our thoughts are with Maanum.
Play resumed
90 min+14: The Arsenal fans cheer their players on in the late stages of the game.
Maanum is stretchered off. Alessia Russo comes on as a substitute.
The rest of the players have headed back to the pitch. They are keeping warm while play is suspended.
90 +7 min: BBC Two have identified the player as Maanum. The Arsenal medical team have gathered around the player.
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Play suspended
90 +5 min: There’s a player down off the ball for Arsenal. The game will pause as the player receives treatment. It’s deadly quiet at Molineux.
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90 +4 min: Chelsea advance up the field and set the ball to Charles on the left. She whips in a deep cross towards the back post but it transforms into a shot as the ball lands on the top of the net. Zinsberger looked relatively unfazed though.
90 min: There will be at least seven minutes of additional time.
88 min: Fox drives with the ball yet again and tries to thread the ball through to Blackstenius. There’s a bit too much on the pass though and Hampton claims the ball comfortably.
85 min: James finds herself free on the left hand side as Reiten plays her in. She drives into the box and tries to caress the ball into the bottom right hand corner. Zinsberger makes a great save but it’s a big chance wasted from Chelsea’s point of view. Hayes’ frustration on the touchline says it all.
83 min: Steph Catley is on for Mead.
82 min: There are 10 minutes for one of these teams to win it in normal time. They’ve managed to cancel each other out in the latter stages of the second half.
78 min: The stats are in! 21,462 fans are in cheering on their teams at Molineux today. The attendance marks a new Continental Cup Final record.
76 min: That was Ramírez’s last touch of the game. Guro Reiten comes on to replace her as Chelsea reshuffle.
75 min: James has been quiet in an attacking sense in this second half but she shows her quality with a fantastic cross field ball to find Rytting Kaneryd on the right. She cuts the ball back for Ramírez but the pass is too heavy for the Colombian to get under control.
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71 min: Caitlin Foord comes on for Lacasse. The Arsenal forward has come closest in this second half.
65 min: Arsenal dispossess Cuthbert in the middle of the park and they’re quickly away. Victoria Pelova drives at the heart of the Chelsea defence before laying the ball off to Lacasse on the left. She’s staring down on goal and hits the ball towards Hampton’s left. The Canadian should score but the England keeper is equal to it.
63 min: Fox plays a lovely one-two with Maanum on the right hand side. She glides past Nüsken with ease and seems full of confidence. Once the season is over, Hayes will be excited by the prospect of working with the fullback in the US national team.
60 min: A loose ball falls to Frida Maanum almost 40 yards from goal. With nothing really on, she tries to beat Hampton from range in attempt that mirrors Mead’s earlier effort in the first half.
57 min: Chelsea are piling the pressure on. Cuthbert floats the ball into the box for Leupolz but it flicks off an Arsenal head and out for a corner.
53 min: Zinsberger is the latest player down. The Arsenal physios have their work cut out, treating Codina and Zinsberger in quick succession.
5o min: Lauren James picks up the first yellow card of the game for a late challenge on Codina. Codina is not happy with the tackle at all as she goes to ground clutching her ankle.
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49 min: Chelsea play the ball around patiently as they approach the Arsenal penalty area. Niamh Charles slides in Johanna Rytting Kaneryd who cuts it back to Melanie Leupolz. The German midfielder blazes her effort over the bar.
46 min: There are shouts for a penalty as Stina Blackstenius goes down in the box under Cuthbert’s challenge. Watching the replays back, there doesn’t seem to have been much in it.
45 min: Arsenal kick off in this second half, minus Leah Williamson. She makes way for Laia Codina. Perhaps it’s a precautionary measure.
Both teams are heading back to the pitch. They’re potentially 45 minutes away from League Cup Final win.
While you’re here enjoying the Continental Cup Final, I hope I can entice you with some more women’s football coverage. Sign up to our FREE Moving Goalposts newsletter to keep up with everything happening in the world of women’s football.
A close battle so far at the Molineux ⚔️#ContiCup pic.twitter.com/mVI2DcRgCE
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 31, 2024
Half time: Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea
It’s been an engrossing first half that deserves more than the 0-0 scoreline. Although Chelsea actually found the net with a disallowed goal, Arsenal have had more shots on goal and have looked assured in possession. Let’s hope for some more clear-cut opportunities for both sides in the second half.
45 +4 min: Chelsea win a free kick and launch the ball into the penalty area. There are some shouts for handball as the ball strikes McCabe’s hand but it’s not clear-cut enough for Chelsea to win a penalty.
45 min: There will be four minutes of additional time at the end of this first half.
44 min: There’s little to separate the sides. Both teams have had their moments with Chelsea managing to find the back of the net and Arsenal testing Hampton. A bright start was always going to be key and all the players have understood the assignment.
38 min: A number of players have slipped in this first half. Hampton is the latest after she clears the ball. She’s lying down, holding her hip so there will be a short break in play. Phew, I needed a breather and I’m not even playing. It’s been like a basketball game so far.
35 min: Chelsea’s corner results to nothing, giving Arsenal an opportunity to counter attack. They break quickly and within three passes they’re almost through on goal. A fantastic recovery run from James stops the danger.
33 min: Chelsea are right back at Arsenal though. Sjoeke Nusken wins the ball high up the pitch and brings Ramírez into the game on the edge of the box. Ramírez cleverly plays in James on the left but she struggles to get the ball out of her feet. Her shot is blocked by Leah Williamson and it’s out for a corner.
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32 min: Arsenal almost score from the resulting corner. Although Chelsea initially head it away, the ball loops up for Lotte Wubben-Boy to volley on the edge of the area. It looked close.
31 min: The game is heating up! Chelsea survive another wave of Arsenal pressure as Jess Carter makes a crucial challenge. The ball only falls as far as Katie McCabe who smashes the ball towards goal from 35 yards out. It’s well tipped over by Hampton.
26 min: Arsenal have grown into the game. The Arsenal players play some beautiful stuff in the middle of the park to release Lacasse on the left. She takes a touch into the box and shoots straight at Hampton.
24 min: Chelsea almost add to their disappointment by conceding straight after that disallowed goal. Beth Mead dispossess Kadeisha Buchanan in the Chelsea half. The England international sees Hampton off her line and tries a cheeky chip over the keeper. It’s just over the bar to Hampton’s relief.
Disallowed goal
Erin Cuthbert wins the ball on the edge of Arsenal’s box and passes it into the Ramírez. The Colombian strikes a fantastic shot into the bottom left hand corner from 25 yards. But it won’t count as Cuthbert controlled the ball with her hand in the build up.
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18 min: Hannah Hampton has looked assured since coming into the Chelsea starting XI this season. She shows her nous by dealing with a cross from the right hand side by coming out to claim the ball before an unmarked Lacasse could take advantage at the back post.
12 min: Now it’s Arsenal’s chance to have a go. The play the ball around neatly in the middle of the park with the Chelsea defenders backing off. Cloe Lacasse lets fly with her left foot but the shot is high and wide.
11 min: There’s an air of expectation every time Lauren James picks up the ball. She receives it deep and exchanges passes with Mayra Ramírez. On receiving the return pass, she goes down under a challenge on the edge of the box. It looked soft – no penalty.
8 min: Chelsea have the first chance to go in front. The ball ricochets into the path of the England forward on the right hand side. She takes it down with ease and turns the defender inside out before firing a shot at Manuela Zinsberger. It’s a comfortable save for the Arsenal keeper but it represents Chelsea’s threat in attack.
2 min: The Arsenal fans are in full voice. The Londoners have demonstrated real commitment to make it to Molineux today in spite of train disruptions.
1 min: Chelsea kick off in this Continental Cup Final, playing from left to right. Let’s go!
Jonas Eidevall has some words for the Arsenal fans in his press conference: “The fans are very important for creating the atmosphere and belief on the stage, and our fans have been so great in doing so. When we speak about motivation for the players, to win for our fans, for all the hours that they put in travelling and supporting our team, it’s for them we need to play, it’s for them we need to win.
Emma Hayes highlighted the importance of quick start today in her press conference: “It’s a final and as always in these games, the team that shows up strong, particularly in the first part … If you think about our game at the Emirates this season, that was over at half-time. The game at Stamford Bridge was over at half-time, so you better show up from the off. If you don’t, it can make it difficult.”
How the teams line up today.
Arsenal: Zinsberger, Fox, Wubben-Moy, Williamson, Mead, Little, Maanum, McCabe, Pelova, Lacasse, Blackstenius
Subs: D’angelo, Williams, Catley, Foord, Russo, Wienroither, Codina, Cooney-Cross, Lia
How @ArsenalWFC line up for the #ContiCup Final! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Oakvx0VmWU
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 31, 2024
Chelsea: Hampton, Nusken, Carter, Leupolz, James, Périsset, Rytting Kaneryd, Charles, Cuthbert, Buchanan, Ramírez
Subs: Berger, Musovic, Ingle, Macario, Reiten, Lawrence, Kirby, Hamano, Beever-Jones
The @ChelseaFCW line up for the #ContiCup Final! 💙 pic.twitter.com/5BorMBPEDD
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) March 31, 2024
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Preamble
Hello and welcome to the Continental Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Molineux.
It’s a huge clash between two titans of English football and the game marks the third League Cup Final match-up involving the two sides. Chelsea beat Arsenal 2-1 in the 2019-20 season before Arsenal got their revenge, beating Chelsea 3-1 in last year’s final. Who will come out on top today?
Arsenal will be fired up for today’s game after their Women’s Super League title hopes were all but dashed in a crushing 3-1 defeat to Chelsea two weeks ago. Jonas Eidevall’s side are also out of the FA Cup so today’s final likely represents their only chance to win silverware this season.
On the contrary, Chelsea are still competing in all competitions and will be dreaming of winning the quadruple in Emma Hayes’ last season in charge. Victory today would set them on their way but it won’t be easy against the most successful team in Women’s League Cup history.
If the last few meetings between these London rivals are anything to go by, whoever starts the brightest should win the game. Kick off is at 3pm BST.
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