Manchester City will face either Arsenal or Manchester United in the FA Women’s Continental League Cup Final after Nikita Parris bagged a brace in a 2-0 victory at Chelsea.
Chelsea began well and Fran Kirby was twice denied by Karen Bardsley, first from a drive from distance and then on a swift break as Beth England played her in and following the save Erin Cuthbert was off target.
City’s keeper was called into action again on 34 minutes, diving to push Cuthbert’s acrobatic attempt wide, before Millie Bright’s strike was cleared by a defender from under the bar.
Hedvig Lindahl got behind Tessa Wullaert’s snapshot, the hosts then going close as Ali Riley’s cross led to England’s header drifting wide.
The visitors began the second half better and Nikita Parris raced clear but saw her strike parried by Lindahl.
But Parris soon opened the scoring from the penalty spot on 49 minutes, after being brought down in the box by Deanna Cooper.
Lindahl gathered efforts from Jill Scott and Caroline Weir, while Parris fired straight at the Blues’ keeper.
Ji So-yun curled a shot into the arms of Bardsley and a City break saw Georgia Stanway go round Lindahl but shoot into the side-netting.
With 9 minutes remaining Manchester City doubled their lead and it was Parris again racing away, this time to sidefoot home.
Chelsea substitute Hannah Blundell had a big chance in added time but was unable to find the target and City progessed to the final at Sheffield United FC on 23rd February.
The two teams meet again in the FAWSL on Sunday at the Academy Stadium in Manchester.
The second semi-final on Thursday 7th February sees Arsenal host Manchester United at Boreham Wood FC, kick off 7.30pm, with the match live on BT Sport 1.
