Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea: Blackstenius' extra-time winner defends League Cup title

There is often a question mark over how much the League Cup means to clubs. In the space of 30 minutes, it meant nothing and everything. Five minutes into stoppage time, Arsenal had seen their midfielder, Frida Maanum, collapse on the pitch.

The result paled into insignificance. All that mattered was Maanum’s health and well-being. It had looked worrying as paramedics worked on the 24-year-old for nine minutes. Thankfully, she was taken off the pitch in a stable condition.

Deep into extra-time, her team won this final with a 116th minute goal from Stina Blackstenius, who had been one of the first on the scene when her team-mate collapsed. Arsenal’s bench and fans erupted. Players and manager Jonas Eidevall ran onto the pitch. There was emotion, passion and relief all in one moment.

Chelsea had been on course for a quadruple coming into this game. For Arsenal, this was the only trophy they could realistically win. There was no suggestion it meant more.

Emma Hayes’ disgruntled post-match handshake with Eidevall suggested it had been just as important to her. This was an even final, decided by one piece of quality.

Arsenal had won the first league meeting 4-1 in December, but Chelsea had come out on top at Stamford Bridge with a 3-1 victory just two weeks ago.

This time around, there was little to separate both teams.

Chelsea did find the net midway through the first half when Ramirez fired in a fantastic strike from just outside the box, but their celebrations were short lived. Replays showed Erin Cuthbert had handled the ball in the build-up, with the midfielder admitting as much to her team-mates as they waited for the VAR review. It did not take long for referee Cheryl Foster to overturn the goal.

Chelsea could perhaps have