Chelsea Ladies manager Emma Hayes claimed tiredness cost her team a place in the FA WSL Continental Cup final.
Toni Duggan’s goal helped Manchester City to a 1-0 victory in a tense semi-final encounter at Ewens Fields.
They will now take on Arsenal Ladies in the final who saw off Notts County 2-0 in extra time.
City had lost their previous two encounters with Chelsea but Hayes claimed her side struggled following their 3-2 league win over Arsenal a few days earlier.
“I think the reality of playing two games of this magnitude in three days was too much for us,” said Hayes.
“We are not ready to compete for honours on all fronts just yet, we have proved that.
“I think they are disappointed with their performance, we weren’t at our best. I think that is the poorest we have played all year and I think the intensity of the game against Arsenal took a lot of energy out.”
Chelsea lead the FA Women’s Super League by two points and are next in action against Notts County at Meadow Lane on September 20th.
