But the cup holders strung together a series of slick passes up the pitch – instigated by the omnipresent Harder – which resulted in Jess Carter converting Reiten’s unstoppable low cross.
Marc Skinner, the Manchester United manager, felt aggrieved that two of his key players – Hayley Ladd and Ella Toone – were forced to miss the encounter after picking up two yellow cards each previously in the competition.
“The rules need to change next year,” he said, pointing out that his side were at a direct disadvantage to Chelsea, who only entered the competition at the quarter-final stage due to their Champions League commitments this season, adding that there was less chance for Hayes’ players to accrue bookings over the course of the competition.
Match details
Chelsea (3-4-3): Musovic; Carter, Bright, Nouwen; Charles, Ingle, Andersson (Spence 85), Reiten (Abdullina 87);Cuthbert, Harder (James 85), Fleming (Kerr 68)
Substitutes not used: Berger (gk), Kirby, Claypole, Thompson.
Goal: Harder (26) Fleming (31) Carter (39)
Manchester United (4-3-3): Baggaley; Battle, Thorisdottir, Mannion, Blundell; Groenen (Fuso 67), Zelem, Risa; Thomas (Bruun 67), Russo (Earps 80), Galton.
Substitutes not used: Harris, Caldwell, Hanson, Smith, Jones.
Sent off: Baggaley (77)
Goal: Risa (32)
Referee: Paul Howard
Attendance: 1,548
