3 Takeaways from Conti Cup Final loss: not the real Chelsea

History repeated itself once again

When Sam Kerr finished off another pinpoint Guro Reiten cross in the 2′ of the match, CFC could not have imagined that it would be reliving the heartbreak of last season. Everything about the Blues goal was sensational. Erin Cuthbert finds Reiten on the left flank who whips in a brilliant ball into a perfect spot for Kerr to knock it in the back of the net.

A goal from the Australian to open up the scoring followed by three unanswered by the opposition. Same competition, same prize, identical storyline. The Blues had scored a goal in both halves of the game in the previous five contests in all competitions. Just like Gareth Taylor and City, the Gunners dug deep, controlling the pace of the game just like CFC has continuously done all season. Hayes’ side can win the FA Cup and WSL in back to back seasons, but once again a falter in the Conti Cup final prevents the Blues from securing a potential domestic treble.

In both games, the Blues’ opponent found a way to respond relatively quickly. Neither of them pulled their foot off the gas as the goals continued to come out of sloppy play from the CFC backline. Hayes’ team looked a shell of themselves after finding the opening goal, acting as if the job was already done. The hope is this is not a recurring theme, but for now, the disappointment in the Conti Cup continues for the second straight season.