Arsenal Women Triumph

Arsenal Women won the Continental Cup for a second-consecutive year with victory over Chelsea.

Stina Blackstenius scored the only goal of the game in extra-time at Molineux to retain the trophy they won at Emma Hayes’ side a year ago.

The Sweden international fired past Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton with just four minutes remaining to secure a record-extending seventh win in the competition’s 13-year history.

“I’m very happy with the performance,” Jonas Eidevall said.

“The first half was for the coaches and the second half was for the fans and the audience.

“We fight hard and of course I’m happy that we are on the better side of it today.”

The victory followed worrying scenes at the end of regulation when Arsenal midfielder Frida Maanum appeared to collapse off the ball in second-half stoppage time.

The club later confirmed the Norway international was “conscious, talking and in a stable condition” and being closely monitored by their medical team.

In winning Arsenal also ended Chelsea’s hopes of a quadruple in Hayes’ final season at the club.

Chelsea could yet lift the Women’s Super League (WSL), Champions League and FA Cup before Hayes leaves for the US national team at the end of the season.

“It’s a tough loss,” Hayes said. “There was nothing between the two teams, I didn’t think it was a high quality game to be honest with you. They took their chance and they are winners.

In contrast to Chelsea, victory was likely a last chance for silverware for Eidevall’s team, who went out of the Champions League before the tournament proper, exited the FA Cup in the fifth round and are third, nine points back from leaders Manchester City, in the WSL.

They are next in action against Bristol City following the international break when Chelsea will meet Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-finals.