The poor season of FA Cup holders Manchester City continued as they lost 3-0 to an impressive Chelsea team at the Academy Stadium.
City's difficult start to the campaign was all too obvious as they, despite a second half revival, meekly exited the competition they had won for three of the last four seasons.
Lacking in confidence and suffering an injury crisis which saw third choice keeper Karina Taieb between the posts City rarely threatened and Chelsea must have been surprised with the ease they reached the finals against their fierce rivals.
Fran Kirby had an early chance with a free header which she sent wide and whilst City responded with a couple of half chances to Ellen White it was Chelsea who looked the more threatening.
Their pressure paid off on 23 minutes as Erin Cuthbert was unmarked to collect a short corner before hammering a cross shot into goal with the French keeper looking culpable.
Five minutes later the visitor's doubled their advantage as a speculative 20 yard effort from Melanie Leupolz found its way into goal with Taieb again looking at fault.
Chelsea were now knocking the ball around with confidence and the City custodian redeemed herself with two fine stops to deny Fran Kirby and WSL top scorer Sam Kerr to keep the hosts in the game at half time.
Cuthbert should have made the game safe just after the restart but Taieb reacted quickly to save low down from close range.
Lauren Hemp was City's main threat but too often her finishing was poor. Jess Park tried her luck from distance but was selected wide as City tried to find a way back into the game. In added time Jess Park hit the inside of the post but by then it had all become academic.
But it was Chelsea who gradually took the sting out of the game to deservedly book their place in the final at Wembley where they will face either Brighton or Arsenal on December 5th confirmed with a towering header from substitute Beth England on 89 minutes.
Full Time
Man City 0
Chelsea: 3 (Cuthbert 23, Leupolz 28, England 89)
Att:1,343
Venue: Academy Stadium
