WSL giants Chelsea and Man City will resume fierce rivalry in Conti Cup final

The two sides have consistency challenged for domestic titles and cups in recent seasons, with both teams led by some of the best players in the game.

Chelsea could make more history by winning the Continental Cup for the third consecutive year after beating Bristol City and Arsenal in their last two finals.

But, Man City have enjoyed a fair share of success in this competition under former manager Nick Cushing's stewardship - who helped the club to win three Conti Cup titles in 2014, 2016 and 2019.

The Citizens agonisingly missed out out on claiming the Women's Super League title with 55 points last season, finishing two points behind eventual champions Chelsea.

Gareth Taylor's City side also endured cup exits to the Blues as they finished the campaign trophyless.

So this game presents Man City with the chance for revenge as they look to kickstart a period of dominance in the women's game.

Chelsea's road to the final:

Due to Chelsea's involvement in the UEFA Champions League, the cup holders started this season's tournament at the knockout stages, bypassing the group phase.

Chelsea got their route to the final off to a great start with a 4-2 win over West Ham, with Pernille Harder scoring a hat-trick in a routine win.

Emma Hayes' side produced a resounding display as they knocked Manchester United out in the semi-finals - goals from Harder, Jessie Fleming and Jess Carter secured a 3-1 victory to book their place into the final.

Man City's road to the final:

The Citizens started this season's Conti Cup with convincing wins over Everton, Durham and Leicester.

They failed to beat their rivals Man Utd in the group stages but City still managed to secure top spot and passage into the knockout stages.

Khadija Shaw's brace and a goal from Vicky Losada inspired City to a 3-1 win over Bristol City at the Academy Stadium.

Taylor's side then cruised past Tottenham Hotspur 3-0, with Jess Park, Shaw and Lauren Hemp all getting their names on the scoresheet to seal a place in the final.

Key Players:

Chelsea - Pernille Harder

Denmark international Harder has consistently demonstrated her versatility and the ability to find pockets of space, which comes heavily down to her great passing ability and scoring different types of goals.

This competition has restored Harder's confidence to reach the same goalscoring levels from her time at Wolfsburg, where she netted a stunning tally on 106 goals in 114 appearances.

Chelsea have a balanced squad of youth and experienced that continue to develop under Emma Hayes' stewardship - instilling the winning mentality in the dressing room - with striker partners Sam Kerr and Frank Kirby often taking the headlines.

But Harder's forward ability is another huge string to the Blues' bow and she will be another player to watch.

Man City - Ellen White

The 32-year-old striker has galvanised this City team into another cup final following their poor start to the campaign.

The England striker's experience has helped her form a partnership with Khadija Shaw in this competition - contributing eights goals in the process.

She continues to showcase her abilities on the biggest games and remains a shining light in this City side and a leader on the pitch, taking the armband from injured skipper Steph Houghton.

While White might be Man City's key threat, they have a squad packed with stars, with Lucy Bronze, England captain Houghton and forward Georgia Stanway other players who make a big impact.

Expectations:

Chelsea remain unbeaten in eight matches against Man City in all competitions.

The Blues' last defeat to Man City came in the 2019 FA Cup semi-final when Magdalena Eriksson's injury-time own goal gifted City a place in the final - where they then beat West Ham 3-0 to claim their second FA Cup trophy.

Since City's 2019 FA Cup success, Hayes' Chelsea side has dominated the women's game and claimed unprecedented success - winning two WSL titles, two Continental cups, one FA Cup and Community Shield.

Only the Champions League has eluded Chelsea after losing 4-0 to Barcelona in last season's final, as they missed the chance to replicate Arsenal's feat of winning the quadruple in 2007.

Meanwhile, City have suffered a number of injuries earlier this term that proved costly to their title charge, but they have since regained their best form and will look to take this game right to the end.

But, as they often say in football and big finals, the form book goes out the window and this is anyone's game with attacking talent on full display from both teams.

What's been said?

Both sides have previously faced each other in seven semi-finals and two quarter-finals across all domestic cups.

Chelsea star Joanna Anderson is relishing the opportunity to lock horns with City in the final for the first time.

Speaking to the Guardian, she said: "Finally, we always say that we're going to get them in the semi-finals. We were quite surprised when we didn't, and now it's finally a final.

"Hopefully both teams are happy about it because it's a good final for us to play but also for people watching.

"They have so many good players and especially wingers that like going forward with a lot of pace and that are very good one versus one.

"We just need to focus on our gameplan and what we can do, but of course we need to try to stop them as well because we know that's one of their biggest threats."

City and England star Lucy Bronze believes the cup final will bring an extra edge to both sides' fiercest rivalry in recent times.

Bronze told her club's official website: "It's going to be a great occasion. We played Chelsea recently in the league and the game was pretty tight so we'll be looking to improve on what we did there.

"In a cup final, anything can happen on the day. We're really desperate to get our hands on silverware after a disappointing start to the season and what better chance than a cup final against one of our biggest rivals in Chelsea?

"We've never played them in a final so there'll be an extra edge for both teams and more of an occasion to beat the other one."

She urged her side to go into the final at AFC Wimbledon's Plough Lane without any fear in their quest to win the competition for the fourth time.

"It takes hard work and a never-say-die attitude," she stated. "In all of the finals I've played in, it's always come down to the tiny little moments being decisive.

"Especially thinking back on the 2016 Conti Cup win with City, the winning goal came from a flick-on from a corner in extra-time.

"Even though we had been the better team, it was a case of taking advantage of one moment - whether that's the other team switching off or having that little bit more hunger than they do.

"Those are the things that make the difference and hopefully, we'll have the bit between our teeth to prove we can get that little moment and stop them from having one."

Tune into talkSPORT for LIVE and EXCLUSIVE commentary of Chelsea vs Man City in the FA Continental Cup final: Saturday, March 5 - 17:15pm kick-off