“Magnificent” Man City: Why their “immense” second half performance blew Chelsea away in the Continental Cup final – tactical analysis

It is fair to say that Chelsea Women and Man City Women have had different fortunes in 2021/22 so far. Whilst Chelsea have been competing with Arsenal Women for the WSL title, Manchester City’s initial injury crisis and lack of pre-season meant that they struggled at the foot of the table in the early stages of the campaign. However, their revival over the last few months made this year’s Continental Cup final, held at AFC Wimbledon’s Plough Lane, a difficult one to call.

This tactical analysis will look at both sides’ performances in more detail, focusing on Chelsea’s initial pressure and how they forced errors from their opponents, as well as the problems they encountered during the second half. The analysis will also look at Manchester City’s forward line, highlighting how their improvement during the game was important in halting Chelsea’s run of success in this competition.

Lineups

Chelsea Women made two changes from the team that defeated Leicester City Women in the FA Cup last weekend, with Fran Kirby unwell and former Manchester United Women forward Lauren James moving to the bench. Denmark star Pernille Harder switched to the forward line to partner Sam Kerr, whilst Niamh Charles moved to the wing from right-back. Jess Carter came off the bench to take her place, whilst Norway forward Guro Reiten was also in the starting XI. Club captain Magdalena Eriksson was named on the bench, alongside Maren Mjelde, who has been out with a knee injury for just under a year. Erin Cuthbert and Melanie Leupolz were not involved, with the latter now out of action after this week announcing her pregnancy.

Manchester City Women made two changes from their own FA Cup derby victory at Manchester United, with former Barcelona Femení captain Vicky Losada picking up a knock in that game and not being risked, whilst English winger Jess Park was named on the bench. Into the team came Scotland’s Caroline Weir and former Everton Women winger Hayley Raso, who started in midfield and attack respectively. Steph Houghton is likely to miss the rest of the campaign after undergoing surgery on an Achilles injury, so Ellen White had the armband, whilst experienced midfielder Laura Coombs was passed fit and included among the substitutes.