Chelsea win round one but Man City retain belief

Chelsea had lost their three previous Womens League Cup finals

One match down, three to go - and it was Chelsea who came out on top against Manchester City in the first meeting of a quickfire four-game run.

With a first trophy of the season in the bag and their quadruple hopes intact, Sonia Bompastors side were understandably all smiles as they left Pride Park.

The Womens Super League leaders were favourites to win the League Cup having gone unbeaten in all competitions this season, while City only had days to prepare with interim manager Nick Cushing starting his role on Tuesday.

However, City arguably performed better in Saturdays final, creating numerous chances and putting Chelsea under pressure - before the Blues showed their ruthless streak.

In the end, Chelsea did what they do best - winning trophies.

"It feels great for sure, Im really happy. The performance was maybe not a great one but we find a way to win the game," said Bompastor.

"City are a really good team so it was a tough game, but we were expecting that. We created some opportunities and did enough to win this game."

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Chelsea edge past Man City to win League Cup

Bompastors celebrations after winning her first trophy with Chelsea will be subdued.

The players have a curfew and will be in bed before 21:00 GMT, she says, because in four days they will do it all again.

City host Chelsea in the first leg of their Womens Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday, before a WSL showdown at Etihad Stadium and then the European second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Bompastor believes winning the first match of the four can be a "big advantage", but does not want her players to be complacent.

"Psychologically its really important to win the first one," she said.

"Of course, it wont be the main element going into the next game but in terms of confidence, its really positive. You always recover better when you win games.

"Thats a big advantage but it wont be enough just to think that because we won today, it will be enough to win the game on Wednesday.

"Its really important in this really rare situation - when you have to face the same team four times in 12 days - to take it game by game."

The defeat for City was crushing. They came close, tested goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and fought back to grab an equaliser in the second half.

City were on top before Yui Hasegawas unfortunate own goal restored Chelseas lead having failed to capitalise on their dominance. Now interim boss Cushing must make sure they do not lose belief.

"Thats my job, to swing this into being motivation rather than the deflation of losing, or the fear that we are playing a better team," he said.

"Im a simple guy. This feeling that you get when you lose finals - if that is not enough motivation, then we are playing the wrong game.

"If watching that game back doesnt give you the belief that you can go on and win... we did enough to win the game and we had many moments.

"I was proud of that. If you carry that disappointment, it wont help on Wednesday. We cant do anything about this one now."

Nick Cushing met the Manchester City squad on Tuesday morning

There was intrigue this week to see what changes Cushing would make after stepping in last minute following the sudden sacking of Gareth Taylor.

Cushing previously enjoyed a successful seven-year spell at City, with his first trophy success coming in the Womens League Cup in 2016.

But limited by injuries, Cushing did not change too much on the pitch, instead focusing on pushing his players to "believe" in their quality.

Asked what worked and what did not, Cushing said: "The result didnt work! But I want this team to be a threat and to believe that it can be a threat - however the game goes and whoever we play. I hope you could see that.

"I thought we had multiple moments in their box and put them under pressure many times. We had real belief we could get back into the game.

"These finals always swing on moments. The moment fell to Chelsea and we didnt get back in it at 2-1 down.

"But Ive seen enough to know that we can be competitive in the next three games. I have the belief that this team can win. I wouldnt be here if I didnt."

There were positives in Citys performance but the concern is that Chelsea found a way to carve out a victory even when they were not at their best.

"I know this team has more than we showed today. But when you play with elite clubs, your job is to win games," said Bompastor.

"That is the most important thing. You have to find a way to win. I would love to have both - I would be the most happiest person.

"But if its not possible, the one thing I would pick is winning."

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Recover and move to the next game - White on Chelseas quadruple hopes

The next three games could define both clubs seasons.

City are out of the WSL title race but must secure a top-three spot to ensure they are in the Champions League next season, as well as throwing everything at their two-legged quarter-final with Chelsea.

Bompastors side remain on course to win a quadruple and will not want to lose ground in any competition.

So what will Wednesday bring?

"We have to be prepared for anything. We could be seeing changes. You never know what you are coming up against," said Chelsea captain Millie Bright.

"It is an unusual position for two teams to be in and I dont think its ever happened before. They are in the same position as we are.

"Momentum in football is just such a big thing, especially when you are playing the same opponent four times in a row. It is so important to be champions."