Electric James guides Chelsea to the final victory of the Women’s League Cup against Manchester United

Chelsea Women forward Lauren James capped a fantastic individual performance with the opening goal as her side defeated Manchester United Women 2-0 in the Women’s League Cup final on Sunday, with her England teammate Aggie Beever-Jones grabbing the second goal iask87w.

James, who joined Chelsea from United in July 2021, was brilliant throughout and showed her usual combination of poise and predatory instincts to score the opener in the 19th minute.

The 24-year-old pounced on a mistake from United’s Dominique Janssen, picking up the defender’s underhit back pass from a throw-in before driving into the penalty area and firing past Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

James gave the game a boost in the first half, her willingness to pass, shoot and dribble with both feet causing problems for United’s defence.

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That said, United had plenty of chances of their own in the opening 45 minutes, but the finishing lacked the precision needed to beat Hannah Hampton, and the second-half comeback attempt lacked energy as it struggled to put pressure on Chelsea’s goal.

Beever-Jones put the match beyond doubt in the 77th minute, poking the ball home after good work from Swedish winger Johanna Rytting Kaneryd to set her up, and Chelsea held on comfortably to win the trophy for the fourth time in its history.

Published on March 15, 2026