Sports
Why Chelsea, Man United need League Cup success — and how they can do it
The first chance of silverware is upon us as Chelsea‘s women will look to defend their League Cup trophy against Manchester United on Sunday.
Both sides have had their positives and negatives this season, but who will come out on top?
Why do Chelsea need to win it?
Chelsea have not gone trophyless since 2018-19 and will be determined to ensure this season does not end that run. However, their position has become increasingly precarious.
In the Women’s Super League (WSL), despite winning the past six titles, they are nine points adrift of Manchester City at the top and are even in danger of falling out of the top-three race. So that reality places even greater emphasis on the domestic cup competitions.
It is difficult to imagine supporters or players viewing an FA Cup and League Cup double as a wholly successful campaign, especially if Chelsea suffer an earlier-than-expected exit from the Champions League knockout stages against either Arsenal (quarterfinals) or Wolfsburg/OL Lyonnes (semifinals). But that does not make those trophies any less significant.
Manager Sonia Bompastor recently signed a contract extension until 2030, despite back-to-back league defeats, and finishing this season without any silverware would slightly alter perceptions of her first campaign in charge, when she ended the league unbeaten and won both the FA Cup and League Cup.
The stakes have been heightened further by uncertainty off the pitch. This summer will be the club’s first transfer window in over a decade without head of women’s football Paul Green, who oversaw squad planning for 12 years before departing last month. Bompastor has already begun reshaping the squad she inherited from former manager Emma Hayes — a transition that might partly explain Chelsea’s inconsistency this season — but whether she is able to build a dominant side to compete across all competitions could depend heavily on how this campaign concludes.
Winning some silverware would boost morale for the future and could have a huge knock-on effect for next season. — Emily Keogh
How can Chelsea win it?
The defending champions don’t have to look far for inspiration; Bompastor’s side recently knocked Man United out of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win after extra time thanks to goals by Naomi Girma and Sam Kerr, with both efforts coming from set pieces.
Indeed, manager Marc Skinner’s side has shown vulnerabilities from dead-ball situations this season, and almost 30% of its shots conceded have come from set pieces — the second-highest share in the WSL this season (West Ham United, 29.5%). Furthermore, 25% of United’s expected goals conceded (xGA) have come from set piece situations.
United have also conceded five headed goals this season in the WSL — only Aston Villa have conceded more (7) — and although Chelsea will be missing Kerr’s aerial threat and Carpenter’s crossing (as they are both at the Asian Cup with Australia), the Blues should look to maximize this avenue.
Lauren James, Alyssa Thompson and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd will be key in providing penetration and deliveries inside the box, although Chelsea have looked a bit timid without a focal point in attack given the ongoing injury issues of Mayra Ramírez.
Another area to focus on for Chelsea will be in midfield. Hinata Miyazawa and Julia Zigiotti Olme have been the spine of United’s midfield, but Miyazawa will be unavailable as she’s also at the Asian Cup with Japan. As a result, Bompastor can look to overload United’s weakened center by fielding a midfield three, forcing turnovers and trying to penetrate the opposition box.
The three-time League Cup winners should look to get players into the box as much as possible in order to capitalize on United’s weakness to clear their lines. — Yash Thakur
Why do Man United need to win it?
Man United will consider this season a success even if they finish without a trophy, as their debut European campaign has seen them unexpectedly reach the knockout stages to face Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals. That run represents clear progress for Skinner’s side and sends a message across the continent that United can compete with Europe’s elite, though they still have some clear shortcomings domestically.
Despite their improvement on the losses of previous seasons, defeats in key matches against Manchester City and frustrating draws against Chelsea and Arsenal highlight that United’s development remains incomplete and consistency continues to elude them. With those dropped points likely ending any realistic WSL challenge — they sit eight points adrift of City with six games left — attention inevitably shifts to the cup competitions.
United won the FA Cup in 2024, but a defeat to Chelsea in this season’s fifth round eliminated one option, meaning the League Cup now carries added importance as their most realistic opportunity to secure another trophy.
For a club whose women’s side was reestablished only in 2018, the honors list remains short. Aside from the 2019 promotion to the WSL, the only major silverware in United’s cabinet is that 2024 FA Cup. Two years later, as another potentially trophyless campaign looms, winning the League Cup would provide tangible proof that United are on the rise. — Keogh
How can Man United win it?
United’s attacking line has been firing this season and they have the second-most goals in the WSL (35). Skinner has some interesting profiles in his attacking quartet of Elisabeth Terland, Melvine Malard, Jess Park and Ellen Wangerheim, who are capable of offering directness and fluidity, but it is his wide players who will be key in this final.
Bompastor’s back three have looked vulnerable this season, especially in the space between the wide center backs and the wingbacks, and teams have targeted this channel to find success against Chelsea. Indeed, almost 66% of the chances conceded by Chelsea have come from the wide channels.
The dynamic nature of United’s forwards will be key in exploiting these areas and creating opportunities, and Carpenter’s unavailability weakens the Blues’ right side.
If United want a blueprint to beat Chelsea this season, they should look to how Arsenal played in January to seal a 2-0 win. The tactical plan involved overloading the center of the pitch and forcing turnovers in midfield.
In Bompastor’s 3-4-1-2 formation, midfielder Keira Walsh is responsible for ball progression and protection against transitions, so Skinner could look to mark Walsh out of the game and establish numerical superiority in the center of the field by using Park. The former Manchester City forward could play a role similar to that of Beth Mead in Arsenal’s win, as United engage in duels in the midfield and apply pressure on Chelsea’s center backs while blocking easy access to Walsh.
Chelsea also have the lowest average ground duel win percentage in the WSL this season (45.8%), so United should look to maximize their high turnover opportunities, initiate duels and exploit spaces behind Chelsea’s midfield. — Thakur
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub refused to shake hands or even stand beside Israel Football Association Vice President Basim Sheikh Suliman during a tense exchange at the FIFA Congress Thursday.
Both officials were invited to the stage by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, but the Palestinian representative resisted efforts to bring him closer to his Israeli counterpart.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino shakes hands with Basim Sheikh Suliman (left), vice president of the Israeli Football Association, as Jibril Rajoub (right), president of the Palestine Football Association, leaves the stage at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada, April 30, 2026. (Reuters/Jennifer Gauthier)
Infantino briefly placed a hand on Rajoub’s arm and gestured for him to step forward, but Rajoub did not comply.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the 2026 Semafor World Economy conference in Washington, D.C., on April 15, 2026. (Kent Nishimura/AFP)
The Palestinian FA, led by Rajoub, has long pushed for Israel to be suspended from international soccer competition.
Rajoub defended his decision, saying he remains committed to formal processes but believes stronger action is needed.
“I still respect and follow the legal procedure, but I think it’s time to understand that Israel should be sanctioned. The double-standard policy should stop,” Rajoub said, according to The Times of Israel.
“I refused to shake hands. Sport is sport. … For me, that should be respected, but if the other side is representing a criminal like Bibi [Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] and speaking on behalf of Bibi as if Bibi is Mother Teresa, how can I shake hands or have a photo with such a man?
A fan displays a Palestinian flag during a Nations League group stage match between France and Israel Nov. 14, 2024. (Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters)
“I think Gianni has the right to try to bridge gaps and bring people together, but I think maybe he does not understand or does not know the deep suffering of the Palestinian people.”
After the exchange, Infantino addressed the room, urging cooperation.
“We will work together, President Rajoub, Vice President Suliman. Let’s work together to give hope to the children. These are complex matters,” Infantino said.
Speaking just before the incident, Suliman emphasized the unifying role of the sport.
“In football, there is no place for politics,” Suliman said. “Everyone has the right to play and compete. We are teaching children values like respect, equality and love for others, and we hope that by the next time we meet, the situation will be better. We extend a hand to the Palestinian FA in the spirit of those shared values.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Players from Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur line up before the UEFA Super Cup soccer match in Udine, Italy, on Aug. 13, 2025. (Denes Erdos/AP)
UEFA was reportedly moving toward a vote to suspend Israel over the war in Gaza in September, but the motion was put on pause.
Infantino announced no action would be taken against the team on Oct. 3 after a historic peace proposal by President Donald Trump and Netanyahu.
However, even after the peace proposal, Israeli sports teams have faced opposition and exclusion.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Hyderabad Kingsmen advanced to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 final after defeating Islamabad United by two runs in the thrilling second eliminator at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.
The victory propelled the debutants into the final, where they will lock horns with table-toppers Peshawar Zalmi at the same venue on Sunday, while it drew curtains on the United’s campaign at the eight-team tournament.
The United got off to an unwanted start to the pursuit as they lost Sameer Minhas (six) and Mohsin Riaz (five) inside three overs with just 15 runs on the board.
Skipper Shadab Khan then joined Devon Conway in the middle, and the duo batted cautiously to put together 42 runs for the second wicket until Saim Ayub dismissed the left-handed opener in the eighth over, who made a 25-ball 30 with the help of three fours and a six.
Shadab was then involved in a brief 11-run partnership for the fourth wicket until eventually falling victim to Hassan Khan on the first delivery of the 11th over and walked back after a cautious 22 off 24 deliveries.
Following his dismissal, Chapman took the reins of United’s pursuit and raised a crucial 64-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Haider Ali, who contributed with a 16-ball 31 until falling victim to Mohammad Ali in the 16th over.
Chapman, on the other hand, followed suit 10 deliveries later, falling victim to Hunain Shah in the 18th over. He remained the top-scorer for the United with a quickfire 43 off 26 deliveries, studded with five fours and two sixes.
But his dismissal did not bother the three-time champions as the all-rounder duo of Faheem Ashraf and Chris Green put them into the commanding position by smashing Ali for 22 runs in the penultimate over, and brought the required equation down to six runs off the last over.
Bowling the final over, with just six runs to defend, Hunain delivered impeccable death bowling as he gave just three runs to secure a thrilling two-run victory for the Kingsmen.
For the Kingsmen, Ali and Hunain bagged two wickets each, while Akif Javed, Hassan Khan and Saim Ayub chipped in with one scalp apiece.
Hunain claimed the Player of the Match award for a brilliant six-run defence in the tense final over.
Put into bat first, the Kingsmen piled up 186/5 in their 20 overs, courtesy of a sensational fifth-wicket partnership between Usman and Kusal Perera.
The Kingsmen got off to a dismal start to their innings as Richard Gleeson dismissed left-handed opener Maaz Sadaqat for a four-ball duck in the first over, with just one run on the board.
Following the early stutter, Saim Ayub joined captain Marnus Labuschagne in the middle, and the duo batted cautiously to put together 70 runs for the second wicket.
Chris Green eventually broke the budding partnership in the 10th over by getting rid of Saim, who walked back after scoring 38 off 27 deliveries with the help of seven fours.
Labuschagne was then involved in a brief 13-run partnership for the third wicket with Glenn Maxwell (three) until both Australians fell victim to Imad Wasim in the pulsating 12th over, resulting in Kingsmen slipping to 85/4.
The Kingsmen captain remained a notable run-getter for the tournament debutants, scoring 40 off 32 deliveries, featuring four fours and a six.
Following the back-to-back blows, in-form wicketkeeper batter Usman and Perera forced an astounding turnaround as they bolstered the Kingsmen’s total past the 180-run mark with a 101-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Usman, who dominated the crucial stand, remained their top-scorer with an unbeaten 61 off 30 deliveries, studded with 10 boundaries, while Perera chipped in with a 21-ball 37, comprising four fours and two sixes.
Imad was the standout bowler for the United, taking two wickets for just 16 runs in his two overs, while Faheem Ashraf, Gleeson and Green made one scalp apiece.
- Kingsmen’s Usman smashes unbeaten 61 in eliminator showdown.
- Mark Chapman scores rapid 43 but United fall short narrowly.
- Hyderabad Kingsmen set up PSL 11 final against Peshawar Zalmi.
Hyderabad Kingsmen advanced to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 final after defeating Islamabad United by two runs in the thrilling second eliminator at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.
The victory propelled the debutants into the final, where they will lock horns with table-toppers Peshawar Zalmi at the same venue on Sunday, while it drew curtains on the United’s campaign at the eight-team tournament.
The United got off to an unwanted start to the pursuit as they lost Sameer Minhas (six) and Mohsin Riaz (five) inside three overs with just 15 runs on the board.
Skipper Shadab Khan then joined Devon Conway in the middle, and the duo batted cautiously to put together 42 runs for the second wicket until Saim Ayub dismissed the left-handed opener in the eighth over, who made a 25-ball 30 with the help of three fours and a six.
Shadab was then involved in a brief 11-run partnership for the fourth wicket until eventually falling victim to Hassan Khan on the first delivery of the 11th over and walked back after a cautious 22 off 24 deliveries.
Following his dismissal, Chapman took the reins of United’s pursuit and raised a crucial 64-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Haider Ali, who contributed with a 16-ball 31 until falling victim to Mohammad Ali in the 16th over.
Chapman, on the other hand, followed suit 10 deliveries later, falling victim to Hunain Shah in the 18th over. He remained the top-scorer for the United with a quickfire 43 off 26 deliveries, studded with five fours and two sixes.
But his dismissal did not bother the three-time champions as the all-rounder duo of Faheem Ashraf and Chris Green put them into the commanding position by smashing Ali for 22 runs in the penultimate over, and brought the required equation down to six runs off the last over.
Bowling the final over, with just six runs to defend, Hunain delivered impeccable death bowling as he gave just three runs to secure a thrilling two-run victory for the Kingsmen.
For the Kingsmen, Ali and Hunain bagged two wickets each, while Akif Javed, Hassan Khan and Saim Ayub chipped in with one scalp apiece.
Hunain claimed the Player of the Match award for a brilliant six-run defence in the tense final over.
Put into bat first, the Kingsmen piled up 186/5 in their 20 overs, courtesy of a sensational fifth-wicket partnership between Usman and Kusal Perera.
The Kingsmen got off to a dismal start to their innings as Richard Gleeson dismissed left-handed opener Maaz Sadaqat for a four-ball duck in the first over, with just one run on the board.
Following the early stutter, Saim Ayub joined captain Marnus Labuschagne in the middle, and the duo batted cautiously to put together 70 runs for the second wicket.
Chris Green eventually broke the budding partnership in the 10th over by getting rid of Saim, who walked back after scoring 38 off 27 deliveries with the help of seven fours.
Labuschagne was then involved in a brief 13-run partnership for the third wicket with Glenn Maxwell (three) until both Australians fell victim to Imad Wasim in the pulsating 12th over, resulting in Kingsmen slipping to 85/4.
The Kingsmen captain remained a notable run-getter for the tournament debutants, scoring 40 off 32 deliveries, featuring four fours and a six.
Following the back-to-back blows, in-form wicketkeeper batter Usman and Perera forced an astounding turnaround as they bolstered the Kingsmen’s total past the 180-run mark with a 101-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Usman, who dominated the crucial stand, remained their top-scorer with an unbeaten 61 off 30 deliveries, studded with 10 boundaries, while Perera chipped in with a 21-ball 37, comprising four fours and two sixes.
Imad was the standout bowler for the United, taking two wickets for just 16 runs in his two overs, while Faheem Ashraf, Gleeson and Green made one scalp apiece.
Sydney Sweeney hard launches her romance with beau Scooter Braun
AAFA pushes for swift US House passage of key anti-counterfeiting law
Greta Gerwig finally reveals her wild new ‘Narnia’ movie title
-
Business1 week agoFrance Ends Airport Transit Visa Requirement for Indian Travellers | Business – The Times of India
-
Fashion1 week agoCanada forms new advisory committee to strengthen US trade relations
-
Tech1 week agoThey Wanted to Join Raya. They’ve Been on the Waiting List for Years
-
Tech5 days agoA Brain Implant for Depression Is About to Be Tested in Humans
-
Tech1 week agoWhy Do I Like Dyson’s PencilVac So Much?
-
Entertainment1 week agoAnne Hathaway makes shocking confession about Taylor Swift’s music
-
Tech5 days agoAlmost 90% of women leave tech industry within 10 years | Computer Weekly
-
Fashion1 week agoNorth India cotton yarn steady despite continued push by spinners