Sonia Bompastor's first season in charge ended in triumphant fashion on Sunday, as the English champions got their hands on yet another trophy
Chelsea clinched just a second-ever treble in the history of the women's team on Sunday, beating Manchester United 3-0 in the FA Cup final to also complete an incredible undefeated domestic season. The Blues have been a force in Sonia Bompastor's first year in charge, winning the Women's Super League title without losing a game after lifting the League Cup back in March, and it ended in the perfect way at Wembley as the English champions overcame the holders to win their sixth FA Cup.
It was a result that maintains Bompastor's perfect record in domestic finals, with her winning all three of those she oversaw at Lyon and her first two since last summer's switch to Chelsea. It wasn't as easy as the scoreline suggests, though. United started brightly and had a huge early chance when Dominique Janssen fired an effort just over the bar from the edge of the box. From there, though, the Blues grew into things well and started to really pepper the Red Devils' goal.
A breakthrough had been coming for a while when Sandy Baltimore finally found it, converting from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time after a clumsy foul from Celin Bizet on Erin Cuthbert. There was a brief revival from United following the break, but alert goalkeeping from Hannah Hampton and smart game management from the dominant force in English women's football combined to see the game out rather comfortably.
Catarina Macario's late header then put the result beyond doubt, with Baltimore adding a third in stoppage time to put the gloss on a campaign of truly incredible domestic success for Bompastor's Blues.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Wembley Stadium…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Hannah Hampton (7/10):
Didn't have too much to do but responded with exactly what was needed when called upon. Distributed the ball well, too.
Nathalie Bjorn (7/10):
Wasn't challenged much defensively but was great on the ball.
Millie Bright (7/10):
Moved the ball nicely as the centre piece in the back three.
Naomi Girma (7/10):
Dominant in her duels and solid in possession.
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Lucy Bronze (7/10):
Took advantage of more attacking freedom and supported Beever-Jones well.
Keira Walsh (7/10):
Didn't steal the show but kept possession ticking over nicely with good vision and off-ball movement.
Erin Cuthbert (7/10):
Worked really hard in the middle of the park, regularly coming out on top in her individual duels.
Niamh Charles (7/10):
Looked more comfortable in this set-up than she has as an orthodox left-back in recent times, with her more effective here in both boxes.
AFPAttack
Aggie Beever-Jones (7/10):
Was Chelsea's brightest spark in the first half, combining well with Bronze and getting in behind United's defence often. Showed good footwork in tight spaces to get shots off, just lacked a goal.
Mayra Ramirez (7/10):
Caused Le Tissier and Turner real problems with her ability to hold the ball up and pounce on long passes in behind. Worked hard in the press, too.
Sandy Baltimore (8/10):
Drifted all over the park to find spaces where she could be a nuisance, and that she was. Took her penalty brilliantly, delivered a superb free-kick for Macario's goal and then added a third in stoppage time for good measure.
AFPSubs & Manager
Catarina Macario (7/10):
Wasn't going to be as physically dominant as Ramirez but brought other things to the No.9 role in her half-hour, often drifting wide to pick up the ball and create chances. Netted a fantastic header to ensure victory.
Wieke Kaptein (N/A):
Brought plenty of energy to the latter stages of the game, delivering the cross that Baltimore converted to make it 3-0.
Guro Reiten (N/A):
Part of a triple sub in stoppage time.
Sjoeke Nusken (N/A):
Another late sub.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (N/A):
Completed that late trio of changes.
Sonia Bompastor (8/10):
It was a risk to deploy a formation she hasn't used all season long, with the only thing that came close being the three at the back played against Liverpool on the final day. But the extra attacking freedom it gave players like Beever-Jones and Baltimore really paid off and helped Chelsea deliver that third trophy of a fantastic season.