City pushed the visitors all the way, but our Conti Cup journey, and 12-match winning run, came to an end on a chilly evening at the Joie Stadium.
Gareth Taylor‘s team started the strongest but it was Chelsea who took the lead on eight minutes through a Lauren James deflected strike.
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City moved the ball quicker in the second half in search of an equaliser with Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, Lauren Hemp and Laia Aleixandri all going close to restoring parity.
But the visitors held firm, with Hannah Hampton in inspired form and shouts for a stoppage time penalty on Alex Greenwood waved away by referee Andrew Kitchen.
It means the Londoners will face Arsenal in the final at Molineux at the end of March, but City’s pursuit of both the WSL title and FA Cup crown continue apace.
Watch the short highlights in the video player above.
