Conti Cup Final Live Blog: Arsenal Women take on Chelsea at Molineux
Defending champions Arsenal are aiming for Conti Cup glory again, in what could be there only remaining chance for silverware this season
Live BLog Sunday Mar 31st
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That’s all for my Conti Cup final coverage after five stressful hours- Arsenal are Champions after a 1-0 extra time win, but most importantly Frida Maanum is conscious and stable. Sending her all the best wishes.
Probably not as exciting as we had all hoped for then.
Eidevall says that the bust-up with Emma Hayes was about the multi-ball system- Chelsea didn't want to play with multi-ball but they utilised it at the end by taking a quick throw-in!
Jonas Eidevall: "We're much much better than last time we played them!"
Kim Little and Leah Williamson lift the Conti Cup final for the second year in a row! Arsenal are champions!
And now Arsenal step up to collect their seventh Conti Cup!
Chelsea are collecting their runners-up medals for a third year in a row.
There was a little coming together between Eidevall and Hayes- the latter gave Eidevall a bit of a shove in what should have been the post match handshake.
Alessia Russo on Frida Maanum: "We're all wishing that she's ok. It was written in the stars that her best mate scored the winner for her. We just hope she's ok."
Pelova says that Alessia Russo was ill for the last two days.
Victoria Pelova: "I just feel cramps! I'm dead! I'm so proud of the team".
There will be no quadruple for Chelsea, who are defeated in the Conti Cup final for the third year in a row.
Arsenal players and staff run over to celebrate with their fans!
It's an emotional North London Forever at Molineux...
FULL TIME: ARSENAL ARE CONTI CUP CHAMPIONS FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW!
Headed away!
ET 30+2' One more Chelsea corner for Arsenal to defend... 1-0
ET 30+1' Two added minutes as Arsenal clear the corner before Foord wallops the ball away. 1-0
ET 30' Macario goes down in the box and wins a corner. 1-0
ET 29' Aggie Beever-Jones comes on for Chelsea. 1-0
ET 26' Finally Arsenal are in front! Blackstenius creates some space in the box and buries the ball into the bottom corner, off a touch from Hampton! 1-0 to the Arsenal with four minutes of extra time left. 1-0
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAL! STINA BLACKSTENIUS!!!!!
ET 24' Fantastic long ball from Cooney-Cross to find Foord, who pulls the ball back to Russo. Her shot is straight at Hampton- Arsenal have had the chances to win this final! 0-0
ET 21' Very dubious shouts for a penalty against Catley are turned down. 0-0
ET 20' Another opportunity- this time Foord gets into the box but it's a brilliant block to deny her. 0-0
ET 16' What a chance! Blackstenius is played in behind by Russo but fires over on the half-volley. Had to do better. 0-0
ET 16' Underway again. 0-0
ET 16' Kyra Cooney-Cross comes on for Katie McCabe. 0-0
Can't share any thoughts on the first half of extra time because I barely watched it- the Frida Maanum news was the focus in the last 15 minutes.
Half time in extra time: 0-0
ET 15' Two added minutes at the end of the first half. 0-0
ET 13' So close for Arsenal! McCabe heads just wide from Catley's cross. 0-0
ET 12' Fox's cross is headed away before Pelova can't connect with a shot. 0-0
ET 8' Arsenal: Frida Maanum is conscious, talking and in a stable condition. She will continue to be monitored closely by our medical team. 0-0
ET 6' Catarina Macario comes on for Sjoeke Nusken. 0-0
ET' 6 Positive news that highlights the severity of the situation. We will continue to bring more updates as we get them. 0-0
ET 4' Frida Maanum is stable and being looked after, according to the BBC commentators. 0-0
1' Extra time is underway. 0-0
Zinsberger is leading Arsenal's huddle as the teams prepare for extra time.
Both sets of players will value these moments to gather themselves before extra time.
Full time: Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea. We are going to extra time in the Conti Cup final.
90+13' Alessia Russo replaces Frida Maanum. We await further news and pray that she is ok. 0-0
90+13' Maanum is being lifted onto the stretcher, to applause from all around Molineux. 0-0
Molineux is silent- a few players kicking a ball between them, the Arsenal dugout are all waiting on the side of the pitch.
90+10' Players slowly heading back out onto the pitch as Maanum continues to receive treatment. 0-0
90+7' Maanum had collapsed off the ball. 0-0
90+7' Frida Maanum is down and receiving treatment- this looks serious. 0-0
90+6' A stoppage as an Arsenal player is down and the medical team rush on. 0-0
90+4' Charles' cross finds the roof of the net. 0-0
90+2' Cuthbert fouls Pelova and is booked. Maanum's free-kick is cleared. 0-0
90+1' Seven minutes added on! 0-0
90' Brilliant from Fox, who has been superb- she drives forward and plays through Blackstenius, but Hampton is out quickly to smother the ball. 0-0
89' Maanum looks for Blackstenius but her pass is wayward. 0-0
85' What a chance for Chelsea, but Zinsberger pulls off a crucial save to deny James one on one! 0-0
85' In fact Foord stays on the left, and McCabe is on the right, allowing Foord to cut inside. 0-0
84' Steph Catley comes on for Beth Mead- McCabe to LW and Foord RW I would expect. 0-0
83' James' cross is claimed unchallenged by Zinsberger. 0-0
82' All a bit scrappy. Reiten's cross is blocked after Pelova flew in for a tackle. Extra time and potentially penalties are in store unless someone can come up with a breakthrough. 0-0
77' 21,462 fans are at Molineux, a record attendance for a Conti Cup final. 0-0
76' Brilliant crossfield ball in behind by James to find Kaneryd, who sets up Ramirez but she can't get a shot away before Leupolz fires over. Ramirez is then replaced by Reiten. 0-0
75' Perisset's delivery is headed away. 0-0
74' Mead fouls James in Arsenal's half, and Chelsea have the opportunity to swing the ball into the box. 0-0
72' Caitlin Foord comes on for Cloe Lacasse. 0-0
69' Zinsberger is down again and being attended to. Looks like an issue with her left knee/thigh. 0-0
66' Best chance so far for Arsenal but Hampton saves well from Lacasse. 0-0
65' Russo is out warming up. 0-0
61' Was that the right decision from Maanum? She picks up the ball in behind after Blackstenius' flick-on and tries to lob Hampton. Just wide. 0-0
58' Frustrating there for Mead. Pelova got into a good shooting position but tried to find Mead, just getting her pass wrong and it's behind for a goal kick. 0-0
57' Perisset's free-kick comes to nothing, but Cuthbert can float in a cross which is headed wide by Leupolz, via a deflection. 0-0
56' We're back underway and Wubben-Moy immediately gives the ball away before Nusken is fouled. 0-0
55' Zinsberger is now receiving treatment from the physios. 0-0
54' James fires into the sidenetting after a Chelsea cross flashed across goal. 0-0
51' Codina covers well to deal with the danger from James, who is booked for leaving one on Codina- she should have been booked for diving in the first half too. 0-0
50' Good build-up play from Chelsea. Charles peels wide and slides in Kaneryd. She cuts back to Nusken who blazes her effort over. 0-0
48' Mead can't get a shot away from Lacasse's cross. 0-0
47' Blackstenius goes down in the box but the referee says no penalty- her foot had got tangled with Cuthbert's. 0-0
46' The second half is underway. 0-0
Laia Codina comes on for Leah Williamson
I wonder who will be the happier of the two teams at half time- maybe Arsenal by a fraction, simply because of their calamitous first half at Stamford Bridge not too long ago.
Enjoyable first half if you're a neutral! Mayra Ramirez thought she had put Chelsea ahead but her goal was ruled out for an Erin Cuthbert handball. Arsenal have had more chances but neither side have found a breakthrough. It's all to play for.
Half time: Arsenal 0-0 Chelsea.
40+4' Some claims for handball against McCabe at the end of the first half are waved away. 0-0
40+3' Maanum with a clever first-time pass over the top but Hampton gets there before Mead. 0-0
45+2' James gets into the penalty area but Maanum is there to clear the danger. 0-0
45+1' Four minutes of added time. 0-0
44' In terms of physicality, Arsenal have been so much better than they were at Stamford Bridge a couple of weeks ago. Tackles and challenges flying in and the midfield battle is far more even. 0-0
43' Kaneryd's cross is blocked by Wubben-Moy, a painful one for the defender. 0-0
40' Hampton is able to continue after both teams take a tactical timeout. 0-0
39' Hampton is down and receiving treatment after scuffing a long clearance- her standing foot had just slipped. 0-0
37' Relief for the Arsenal defence as the whistle blows just as Kaneryd gets into the box- she had fouled Wubben-Moy. 0-0
35' Crucial block by Williamson after Little had slipped on the edge of the box- Williamson was back to prevent James' shot. 0-0
32' What a moment that would have been. Nusken heads away from the Arsenal corner before the ball drops for Wubben-Moy to volley wide. 0-0
31' McCabe is the latest player to test Hampton, pouncing onto a clearance and her shot is tipped over from range. 0-0
30' Arsenal continue to knock on the Chelsea door as Lacasse and Maanum try to get efforts away in the box to no avail. 0-0
28' Hampton gets down low to deny Lacasse from a narrow angle. 0-0
26' Mead tries her luck from a long way out, trying to lob Hampton and finding the roof of the net. 0-0
23' The goal is disallowed after a handball from Cuthbert in the lead-up to Ramirez's shot. 0-0
22' VAR check in progress after a handball in the buildup from Cuthbert. 0-1
21' Goal! Arsenal 0-1 Chelsea: Mayra Ramirez buries the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. 0-1
19' Another shaky moment for Hampton- Blackstenius moved the ball wide and Fox's deep cross towards Lacasse is just about dealt with by the goalkeeper. 0-0
18' McCabe's inswinging corner is claimed by Hampton after she initially spilled the catch under pressure from Wubben-Moy. 0-0
17' First Arsenal corner after Charles tackles Lacasse. 0-0
15' Excellent from McCabe to keep hold of the ball before she is dragged down by Cuthbert for an Arsenal free-kick. 0-0
12' Lacasse drags a shot wide from range after Wubben-Moy and Pelova brought the ball forward through midfield. 0-0
12' Down goes James on the edge of the box but very quiet penalty appeals are turned down. Referee had a good view. 0-0
10' Arsenal respond with a quick break. Mead's cross from the left of the box can't pick out a teammate. 0-0
8' First opportunity for Chelsea sees James break into the box, burst past Wubben-Moy and draw a strong save from Zinsberger. 0-0
8' A great atmosphere at Molineux, with Arsenal fans a wall of red in the Sir Jack Hayward Stand and going through their repertoire of chants. 0-0
6' Steady start to the game- Arsenal choosing their moments to press as both teams size each other out. 0-0
3' Maanum presses Carter and Hampton has to hurriedly clear. Chelsea attack and Wubben-Moy puts in a good challenge before being fouled by Cuthbert. 0-0
1' A rousing chorus of Angel (North London Forever) from the Arsenal supporters to kick things off. 0-0
1' Underway in the Conti Cup final! 0-0
Video Assistant Referee is in place today.
Here we go then. It's Arsenal against Chelsea for what could be Arsenal's only silverware this season, or the first of four potential trophies for Chelsea.
Firstly, it's time for the national anthem.
Both sides and their managers are meeting the WSL representatives and sponsors before going through the pre-match handshakes.
Here come the teams! Arsenal in red, and white socks! Chelsea in all blue, so no kit clash today.
The teams are in the tunnel! How are the nerves?
For coverage of Manchester City v Arsenal in the Premier League, make sure to follow Gooner editor @laythy29 on Twitter. Layth is already in the Etihad Stadium press box, ready to cover one of the biggest games in recent years for Arsenal.
Emma Hayes On facing Jonas Eidevall: "We respect each other and I respect the job he's done with Arsenal and I for one am going to enjoy today knowing it's going to be my last."
Arsenal's defence must improve against Chelsea this afternoon, and they can look at last year's Conti Cup final win over the same opposition for inspiration. Less than a week after losing to Chelsea in the FA Cup, Arsenal did not give the Blues a look-in and scooped the first silverware of Jonas Eidevall's tenure.
One battle that jumps out to me is Katie McCabe vs Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. The winger tore apart Steph Catley at Stamford Bridge and scored at the Emirates, and is a player who can perhaps slide under the radar in this star-studded Chelsea side.
That will explain the decision to start Russo on the bench, then.
Jonas Eidevall speaking to BBC Sport: "Alessia has had a bug and not been able to train. She has done a tremendous job being able to be available to in the squad today and she is felling much much better now."
Both Alex Scott and Ellen White on BBC punditry duty have said that Alessia Russo has been ill in the week.
Arsenal are now 9 points behind league leaders City, also with a game in hand. Out of the FA Cup and with no Champions League football, the Conti Cup is likely Arsenal's only opportunity for silverware this season.
After Man City beat Liverpool yesterday, Chelsea are now three points off top spot but with a game in hand, chasing a historic quadruple.
Arsenal beat Chelsea 4-1 in a remarkable Emirates Stadium afternoon in December, but Emma Hayes' side got their revenge earlier this month with a 3-1 win over the Gunners at Stamford Bridge. What will Moilneux, a neutral venue, hold today?
Laura Wienroither remains in the Arsenal squad, as she nears a return to full first-team action following a lengthy ACL injury. The Austrian played for Arsenal U21 in a 2-0 win over Charlton Athletic in midweek.
The big omission in Chelsea's starting eleven is Norwegian midfielder Guro Reiten- instead, Sjoeke Nusken keeps her place after scoring a brace in the last meeting with Arsenal.
Emma Hayes makes six changes from Chelsea's midweek win over Ajax, with Lauren James and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd back into the side. Mayra Ramirez starts upfront, her first meeting with Arsenal.
Cloe Lacasse is also preferred to Caitlin Foord on the left wing, whilst Frida Maanum keeps her place in the number 10 role.
Stina Blackstenius is again preferred upfront to Alessia Russo, something that was a feature of Arsenal's 3-1 defeat to Chelsea in the WSL two games ago.
Chelsea subs: Musovic, Berger, Ingle, Macario, Reiten, Lawrence, Kirby, Hamano, Beever-Jones.
Arsenal subs: D'Angelo, Williams, Catley, Codina, Wienroither, Foord, Cooney-Cross, Russo, Lia.
Chelsea: Hampton, Perisset, Carter, Buchanan, Charles, Cuthbert, Leupolz, Nusken, Kaneryd, James, Ramirez.
Arsenal: Zinsberger; McCabe, Wubben-Moy, Williamson, Fox; Pelova, Little; Lacasse; Maanum, Mead; Blackstenius.
Just a few minutes now until team news, and both managers have some big decisions to make. Personally, I'm fascinated to see who starts upfront for Arsenal- could both Alessia Russo and Stina Blackstenius feature? We will wait and see.
Firstly, the good news is that after last week's delays, Arsenal have arrived at Molineux on time. Whether they've packed the right socks this time, we'll have to see.
Good afternoon, and what a massive afternoon it is for Arsenal Football Club. It all starts at 3pm UK time as Arsenal Women face Chelsea in the Conti Cup final, and Freddie Cardy is here to take you through all of the action. Settle in, if you can...