Arsenal book spot in Conti Cup final; Kerr scores four to secure Chelsea's ticket

Arsenal and Chelsea have booked their ticket to the Conti Cup final, Kerr scored four goals to help the Blues advance to their fourth consecutive league cup final. 

Read our review below. 

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The first of the semi-final fixtures saw Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley's Arsenal defeat Mary Fowler, Hayley Raso and Alanna Kennedy's reigning champions Manchester City.

Foord and Kennedy started for their respective side, and it was the Gunners that started the brighter of the two sides, forcing Sandy MacIver into saves in the first half. 

Sabrina D'Angelo and MacIver traded saves at either end, but the game went to the break locked at 0-0. A triple change at the 64th-minute mark from Jonas Eidevall saw Catley enter the game alongside Lina Hurtig and Stina Blackstenius.

Leila Ouahabi of Manchester City battles for possession with Caitlin Foord of Arsenal during the FA Women's Continental Tyres League Cup Semi Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Meadow Park on February 08, 2023 in Borehamwood, England.
Leila Ouahabi of Manchester City battles for possession with Caitlin Foord of Arsenal during the FA Women's Continental Tyres League Cup Semi Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Meadow Park on February 08, 2023, in Borehamwood, England.

The Swedish duo had chances to find the back of the net in the second half, with Foord setting up a perfect cross that Hurtig headed just wide. 

Raso came off the bench with 9 minutes of stoppage time to look to find the matchwinner, playing her part in setting up chances for City. 

The game was forced into extra time, and just two minutes into the first half Blackstenius found the matchwinner. 

The Arsenal players celebrate their goal during the FA Women's Continental Tyres League Cup Semi Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Meadow Park on February 08, 2023 in Borehamwood, England.
The Arsenal players celebrate their goal during the FA Women's Continental Tyres League Cup Semi-Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Meadow Park on February 08, 2023, in Borehamwood, England.

Fowler came off the bench in the final stages of the second half of extra time, but couldn't help the defending champions claw back the equaliser. 

Arsenal is through to their ninth Conti Cup final and will be looking to lift the trophy a record-breaking sixth time. 

Meanwhile, Sam Kerr's Chelsea booked their spot in a fourth consecutive Conti Cup final after a 7-0 win over Mackenzie Arnold's West Ham United. 

Kerr opened the scoring just three minutes into the encounter, getting on the end of Guro Reiten's free-kick. 

Fran Kirby found the second for Chelsea not long after, with Kerr and Lauren James linking up to help double the advantage. 

Sam Kerr celebrates scoring their side s sixth goal of the game during The FA Women s Continental Tyres League Cup semi-final match at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, Dagenham. Picture date: Thursday February 9, 2023.
Sam Kerr celebrates scoring their side s sixth goal of the game during The FA Women s Continental Tyres League Cup semi-final match at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, Dagenham.

The Aussie striker found her second at the midway point of the half, scoring perhaps the pick of the bunch after receiving the ball just outside the box and firing it into the top corner. 

Kerr completed her hat trick just before the break to give Chelsea a 4-0 lead. 

Lauren James got the goal her hard work deserved, finding the back of the net for the first time in the game. 

The number 20 added her fourth goal of the night, heading home Ève Périsset's cross. 

Reiten finished off the scoring to end the game 7-0 and book Chelsea's ticket to the Conti Cup final, with the Blues looking to lift the trophy for a third time. 

Conti Cup Final
Chelsea v Arsenal
Date:
Monday, 6th of March
Time: 2:00 am AEDT