Man Utd, Chelsea sneak through: What we learned from the League Cup semis

Key Highlights

• They lacked conviction in the final third and were missing that final touch that meant the hosts went goalless and have lost the first chance at clinching silverware amid a disappointing season so far.
• Despite 21 shots, only three registered on target and barely any of their build really challenged Phallon Tullis-Joyce in goal. United managed to break the deadlock in first-half stoppage-time and once again, Arsenal orchestrated their own downfall. It was a dire pass out from the back from goalkeeper Anneke Borbe, still filling in for Daphne van Domselaar, who laid the ball off straight to January signing Ellen Wangerheim.
• It was then too easy for Elisabeth Terland to roll the ball into the bottom left corner.
• It was only Man United's second real chance of the game and, unlike their previous meetings with Arsenal, Terland made sure their slim chance counted.
• The visitors only had two more chances on target, and while Arsenal were gathering frustrations, United's game plan had worked and they comfortable kept control of the game, learning from their past mistakes against the Gunners. Arsenal's evening went from bad to worse after Olivia Smith was shown a second yellow card and trudged off the pitch in the 61st minute.