The reaction from Sonia Bompastor may have said it all, on the day and ahead of the next two weeks. The Frenchwoman celebrated her first trophy at Chelsea with the mutest of celebrations, simply turning to her counterpart Nick Cushing and offering an outstretched hand. Like Chelsea’s performance against Manchester City in the League Cup final, it was business-like and professional. With three further rounds between these teams across the next 12 days, she knew there is more to come.
But the first blow was landed by Chelsea, the serial winners who lifted this trophy after three consecutive defeats in League Cup finals. Bompastor has built on what was left by Emma Hayes and could go further still, unbeaten now in 28 games this season, with one trophy down and a further three possible. “Our performance today was maybe not a great one,” Bompastor admitted. “A shame to have this pitch in the final,” she added, the surface at Derby County’s Pride Park not helping either team. Chelsea, though, did what they do best: “We always find a way to win, whether it’s a good day or a bad day,” said captain Millie Bright.
