Chelsea Women’s reward for their recent FA Cup fourth round away win at Aston Villa is a home fixture against struggling Leicester on 26 February at Kingsmeadow.
At stake, a place in the quarter-final of a competition that – having been disappointingly dumped out of the Champions League – manager Emma Hayes is determined to win.
As holders, Chelsea are arguably favourites, having lifted the cup when last season’s Covid-delayed tournament concluded in December with a dominant win over Arsenal. But still in contention are the Gunners (who are away to Liverpool), and the two Manchester giants (drawn against each other in the fifth round).
Meanwhile, it’s all hotting up in the Women’s Super League, where Chelsea and Arsenal clash on Friday evening.
Last weekend’s hard-earned 1-0 victory over Manchester City at a windswept Kingsmeadow came the day after their arch-rivals from north London only managed a draw against Man Utd.
There were 3,321 in the ground, with ‘Sold Out’ signs plastered on the window of the ticket office, as Guro Reiten’s first-half glancing header proved the difference between two well-matched sides.
City manager Gareth Taylor said that the gusts of wind which swept across Norbiton had been a factor. “Both teams struggled,” he said. But another issue was that City keeper Ellie Roebuck had the low winter sun in her eyes.
Why do keepers no longer wear the baseball caps that at least cut some of the glare? Erin Cuthbert, who had an excellent game, said: “Guro works so hard in training, so I’m really pleased for her to get a goal.”
For Hayes, the steady, managed return to match fitness of Lauren James is a real positive. “She can really only play 15 or 20 minutes at the moment,” said the manager.
The match was a dress rehearsal for the Conti Cup final, looming in early March, with both sets of fans namechecking the venue in their chants. City sang: “Wimbledon, Wimbledon, we’re the famous Man City and we’re going to Wimbledon.” Chelsea’s ultras countered with: “Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, we’re going to Wimbledon, que sera sera.”
It may not rhyme very well, but hundreds of fans will be looking forward to that journey to SW19 to tilt for another domestic trophy in this crazy season.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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