Chelsea reached the Women's League Cup semi-final with a 9-1 win over Liverpool at St Helens Stadium, as Johanna Rytting Kaneryd hit a perfect hat-trick and the holders moved closer to defending the trophy
against strong competition from Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal.
The semi-final draw sets up a repeat of last season's showpiece, with Chelsea facing Manchester City in the last four, while Manchester United meet Arsenal in the other tie, leaving four major Women's Super League contenders chasing a place in the 2025 Women's League Cup final.
Chelsea blew Liverpool away before half-time, racing into a 4-0 lead. Sam Kerr struck twice in four minutes, then Wieke Kaptein and Aggie Beever-Jones added further goals. After the interval, Rytting Kaneryd scored from distance, completed a treble, Sjoeke Nusken also netted, and Millie Bright finished the scoring in the 86th minute.
| Match | Competition | Score | Main scorers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea vs Liverpool | Women's League Cup quarter-final | 9-1 | Rytting Kaneryd (3), Kerr (2), Kaptein, Beever-Jones, Nusken, Bright; Clark |
| Manchester City vs West Ham | Women's League Cup quarter-final | 5-1 | Nicoli, Hemp, Clinton, Shaw, Coombs; Ueki |
| Tottenham vs Manchester United | Women's League Cup quarter-final | 1-2 | Tottenham scorer not stated; Park, Rolfo |
| Crystal Palace vs Arsenal | Women's League Cup quarter-final | 0-2 | Codina, Blackstenius |
Manchester City ensured Chelsea will face familiar opposition after a 5-1 win over West Ham. Early goals from Kerolin Nicoli and Lauren Hemp gave City control, Riko Ueki replied for West Ham, but Grace Clinton restored the cushion before half-time, with Khadija Shaw and Laura Coombs scoring after the interval.
The other semi-final brings together Manchester United and Arsenal. United overturned a deficit against Tottenham, winning 2-1 through goals from Jess Park and Fridolina Rolfo. Arsenal advanced with a controlled 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace, where Laia Codina and Stina Blackstenius provided the decisive finishes away from home.
Chelsea statistics and Liverpool struggles in Women's League Cup
Chelsea's attacking display pushed Liverpool's poor run further, with Gareth Taylor witnessing another heavy defeat in Liverpool's season. Chelsea generated 18 shots, 11 on target, far above their 2.57 expected goals, while Liverpool produced only one big chance, taken by Jenna Clark, and also allowed Chelsea to hit the woodwork.
A perfect way to end the year! #CFCW pic.twitter.com/7vmaph68uoChelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) December 21, 2025
Chelsea now prepare for a demanding semi-final against Manchester City, having repeated last season's attacking strength, while Liverpool reflect on another heavy defeat, and Manchester United and Arsenal focus on their meeting, with all four clubs targeting domestic silverware in the 2025 Women's League Cup.
