Goals from Guro Reiten and Sophie Ingle sent the holders through to the semi-finals, after the two sides had contested an enthralling 2-2 draw in normal time.
City had looked to have snatched the win with five minutes left on the clock, thanks to Lauren Hemp‘s fourth goal in three games, but Niamh Charles’ injury-time wonderstrike forced the additional 30 minutes - and Emma Hayes’ side capitalised on their momentum.
The defeat means City have failed to reach the semi-finals for only the second time since 2014, having won the trophy on three occasions in 2014, 2016 and 2019.
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What happened
Familiar foe, the two sides locked horns for the 24th time since City entered the top flight - a tenth meeting in cup competition.
While a bright start on Sunday had set the wheels in motion for our stunning first-half thrashing of Aston Villa, it was Chelsea who threatened in the early exchanges of this well-contested encounter.
Beth England was inches away from connecting to Erin Cuthbert’s cross, while Sam Kerr could only find the side-netting inside ten minutes.
Shouts for a penalty were waved away when Cuthbert then went to ground under pressure from Lucy Bronze before the Scotland international fired over.
At the other end, City struggled to carve out clear-cut chances and the visitors made their pressure count on the brink of half-time, as Alex Greenwood’s sliced clearance fell into the path of Melanie Leupolz, who volleyed past Karen Bardsley, despite Steph Houghton’s best efforts.
Significant improvement was required in the second half and inspired by the half-time teamtalk, City were level within seven minutes of the break, courtesy of Chloe Kelly‘s sheer persistence.
The winger – the hosts’ best attacking threat in the opening 45 – chased down Magdalena Eriksson inside the Chelsea penalty area, dispossessing the defender before composing herself and drilling into the far corner.
As a result, the second half proved a more end-to-end affair with both sides chasing a winner.
The visitors almost hit back instantly, as Bardsley clawed Pernille Harder’s effort wide of the post.
England then headed over the bar and Kerr smashed a half-volley well wide, while Kelly almost turned provider for Hemp at the backpost, in a late flurry of activity at both ends.
Referee Richie Watkins dismissed another penalty claim when Kelly was seemingly nudged off the ball by Jonna Andersson, before Georgia Stanway fired straight at Ann-Katrin Berger.
PFA Young Player of the Year Hemp thought she had bagged a late winner, reacting quickest to a loose ball in the box and smashing home, sparking joyous scenes.
However, Chelsea levelled in the dying embers as Charles was afforded too much space and executed a stunning volley past Bardsley to send the tie to extra-time.
With the momentum, the visitors swung the game in their favour when Reiten slid into an empty net at the backpost in first-half extra-time, and Ingle made sure of the victory, rocketing an effort past Bardsley to end our hopes of a second comeback.
Hayes’ side will host West Ham or Durham in the semi-finals.
How we lined up...
City made two changes to the side which thrashed Aston Villa on Sunday, as Greenwood and Keira Walsh returned to the starting XI in place of Janine Beckie and Laura Coombs.
Bardsley continued in goal, shielded by a backline of Bronze, captain Houghton, Greenwood and Esme Morgan with Walsh protecting the back four.
Stanway and Jill Scott occupied central midfield, flanked by Kelly and Hemp, while Ellen White led the line upfront.
Once again, Academy stars Millie Davies, Alicia Window, Anna Phillips and Millie Ravening were named on the bench.
CITY XI | Bardsley, Bronze, Houghton (C), Greenwood (Beckie 59’), Morgan, Walsh (Coombs 46’), Scott, Stanway, Hemp, Kelly, White (Park 105’).
SUBS | Roebuck, Ravening, Phillips, Davies, Window.
CHELSEA XI | Berger, Bridge, Leupolz, England (J Fleming 105’), Ji (Ingle 82’), Eriksson (C), Mjelde, Kerr (Charlies 82’), Cuthbert (Reiten 61’), Harder, Andersson.
SUBS | Telford, Blundell, Kirby, Spence.
Player of the Match: Chloe Kelly
A thorn in the Chelsea side from the off, Chloe Kelly shone as City’s brightest spark, brimming with confidence to dance past defenders and carving openings with dangerous deliveries.
Her determination and desire crafted our equaliser and she showed excellent composure to capitalise, drilling into the far corner with aplomb.
Stat attack
The tie marked City’s 100th home game as a professional outfit.
Of the City Century, the home side have emerged victorious on 78 occasions, scoring 247 goals.
The setback marked the first time City had ever lost at home in the Conti Cup, and claimed Chelsea’s first ever win at the Academy Stadium.
Up next...
City return to FA Women’s Super League action on Sunday 24 January with a trip to Brighton and Hove Albion.
The clash kicks off at 14:00 (UK) time at the American Express Elite Performance Centre and will be shown live on the FA Player.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Match highlights from Wednesday night’s game and a full 90-minute replay of the match (available with a CITY+ subscription) will be available from noon UK time on Thursday 21 January.
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