And that's a wrap 👏

Wow - what an evening!

Manchester City are Continental Cup champions for a fourth time in our history.

A second half brace from Caroline Weir and instinctive close-range finish from Ellen White was enough to hand us a deserved win at Plough Lane.

Check out the best stats from a truly memorable encounter below, and make sure to stay across mancity.com and the official Man City app for comprehensive reaction across the evening.

Thanks for your company... COME ON, CITY 💙 

Thank you, and well played 👏

Gareth Taylor on celebrations 🎉

"Trying to control 25 young females can be hard at times but they really deserve this. You've got to celebrate the highs.

"This gives us massive belief going forward. Chelsea are a very good team, they've had the edge on us this season no doubt about that but come the end we probably could've scored more than we did.

"I'm really proud of the players and the Club."

More from Gareth Taylor 🗣

"The players knew (we needed to improve in the second half), this is a really honest group. We've been through tough moments and come out the other side.

"We fully deserved to win this competition, we've done great in that respect but everyone, all the staff, the club as a whole have been magnificent and they deserve this."

On Caroline Weir:

"She's really important, she scores important goals but also realises the importance of the team, and that's what the second half was all about. The players out there were unbelievable."

Gareth Taylor speaking to the BBC 🗣

"I'm really proud of the players, we were immense second half, so good.

"We knew we had to tweak a few things. We spoke a little bit about belief and faith at half time, and I don't think the players could've shown any more of that in the second half.

"We went up so many levels it was unbelievable. We were deserved winners."

Nedum Onuoha on Matchday Live 🗣

"That second half, it was fantastic. Not only for how well they played but how they stifled Chelsea.

"Chelsea needed to find something but just couldn't, I was so impressed by that tenacity.

"For us to finish lifting the trophy, it always looks good there when that blue's on the podium!"

Trophy lift 🏆

Ellen White and Steph Houghton hoist the trophy aloft!

The players are now taking it in turns to get hold of the Conti Cup and celebrate.

Medal procession🎖

Chelsea's players collect their medals while being applauded by the City team.

They've now made their way over to the left of the platform where Gareth Taylor's side will lift the trophy any minute...

The City boss is up first!

Caroline Weir speaking to the BBC 🗣

"We came out second half, we upped the intensity and the quality and just went from there.

"We're delighted to come out on top.

"I'm trying to get in the right positions at the right time, I'm delighted to score but so happy that we won today."

City support

After a quick team huddle, the players are straight over to the travelling fans to celebrate!

Ellen White goes and gives someone in the stands a hug, while Caroline Weir conducts some post-match interviews after her brace!

FULL TIME

MANCHESTER CITY ARE 2022 CONTINENTAL CUP CHAMPIONS!

Scintillating Stanway

Stanway has been absolutely everywhere today. She's still battling away in the final moments and wins a free-kick deep in the City half.

An industrious midfield display.

Stoppage time

Four minutes left here at Plough Lane.

City have been running the clock down whenever we can... we're almost there...

Stoppage time approaching...

A slight lull in play as Roebuck claims a long ball.

Chelsea are piling bodies forward now in search of a route back into the game, but it leaves them exposed at the other end.

White looked like she could be in a few moments ago, but the forward too a little too long to pull the trigger, and the chance went begging.

Bad pun, great goal.

Deserved lead 👏

From one to eleven, City have been fantastic in this second half.

We've battled for every single ball as if our life depended on it, and have been full value for our lead.

Rarely do you see this Chelsea side put under as much pressure as they have been in the second 45.

Superb Stokes

Stokes steals the ball away from Kerr on the City left and races into space on the counter.

The defender does really well and forces a corner off Bright to ease the pressure.

The corner is played into the near post and is cleared behind once again by a Chelsea defender.

Hempo on the hunt

Another great run from Hemp, who's causing havoc down the left so far this half.

The winger skips away from Carter out on the flank, but her ball in to White is cleared by Anieke Nouwen.

City still on top.

Inspired second half

Whatever was said at the break, it's done the trick!

City have looked up for this as soon as the second half got under way, and fully deserve our lead.

There's still plenty of twists and turns to come I'm sure, but what a turnaround this has been so far.

Chelsea injury

A nasty collision down the right as Charles clatters into the advertising boards behind the goal.

The midfielder was battling for the ball with Stokes, and looks to have taken a tumble as she tried to knock an early ball into the box.

Thankfully she's alright to continue.

Second Half

Back under way here at Plough Lane.

COME ON, CITY  💙 

Jayne Ludlow's half-time assessment 🗣

City's Girls' Academy Technical Director Jayne Ludlow has been speaking on the BBC at half-time of our Conti Cup clash.

She agrees that it's still all to play for in the second 45.

"There's areas to be pleased with, the areas we're getting into.

"If you look at the game so far, we're doing well but it's the final part of the jigsaw.

"The trophy would be huge, we want to win trophies every season."

The small matter of a Manchester Derby tomorrow afternoon...

Nedum Onuoha's half-time assessment 🗣

"It's a shame we conceded the goal because I thought we were pretty good overall defensively.

"We got into the groove and had a big chance through Hemp.

"I'm sure at some point the kitchen sink will be thrown if it's still 1-0."

Half-time

Sam Kerr's instinctive opener separates the sides at the break.

Both sides will feel they had strong claims for a penalty, while City went closest when Lauren Hemp's close-range effort cannoned back off the post.

Plenty to play for, and lots of positives to take heading into the second half!

Stoppage time

One minute of added time here at Plough Lane, as a deep cross is claimed by Berger with Raso ready to pounce.

Chelsea chance

Chelsea counter down the right and it looks like Harder is destined to pull the trigger.

However, the midfielder is crowded out by the rapidly retreating Walsh and Stokes, and the ball trickles out for a corner.

Raso rampage

Raso nicks the ball off the toe of Andersson and forces a corner for City.

The winger has worked tirelessly down the flank, but Greenwood's corner is cleared at the near post.

Another look at the opening goal.

Half hour assessment

City enjoying a decent spell of possession here at Plough Lane now after that Hemp chance.

On the balance of play, we've been the better side, but Chelsea always look dangerous on the counter.

Sweeper Keeper

The ball in is cleared and for a split second it looked like Reiten might be in on goal.

However, Roebuck is quick off her line to mop up the danger.

City chance?

A promising position here for City as Stokes is felled by Charles.

Hemp and Greenwood standing over this free-kick, around 25 yards from goal out on the left flank.

City improvements

We've looked much more calm and collected in the last few minutes, with Raso almost carving open a chance down the left after dispossessing Carter around 30 yards from goal.

Stanway tries her luck from distance, with the ball deflecting into the path of White, but her acrobatic effort is over the bar.

She was offside, but that would've been a spectacular opener!

Handball shout?

City might've got away with one there...

A deep ball into the box is headed clear by Bronze, but it looks like it's struck Kennedy's arm on the way out.

Chelsea want a penalty, but referee Lisa Benn is unmoved...

Out wide

Carter - Chelsea's right back - is looking to play a dangerous ball down the flank at every turn.

The latest pass forces a corner, which is eventually scrambled away by City after Harder had got her head to the cross.

City then break forward but White can't bring the ball under her spell in a promising position.

Chelsea on top

Kerr breaks free down the right but again Greenwood is across to block the cross.

The City defender is there again to clear the subsequent corner.

Chelsea on top in these early stages.

Headed clear

An early chance for Chelsea, with a dinked cross seeing Alex Greenwood and Sam Kerr battle for an aerial ball after Pernille Harder bursts down the left.

Greenwood comes out on top this time.

KICK-OFF

Ji gets the 2022 Continental Cup final gets under way...

COME ON, CITY 💙 

Moments away

International teammates Millie Bright and Ellen White shake hands ahead of kick-off and do the captain's coin toss.

Kick-off moments away...

Here we go...

Chelsea and City make our way out from the tunnel, Gareth Taylor and Emma Hayes leading both sets of teams.

A yellow and blue wreath, acknowledging the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, is laid by both sides as they line-up ahead of the handshakes.

Words of encouragement from Steph Houghton👏

Dynamic duo🎙

Esme Morgan and Karen Bardsley caught up with Matchday Live ahead of kick-off...

Morgan on pre-game feeling:

"I'm really excited, I woke up with such a good feeling in the pit of my stomach and don't get this often! I'm hoping that means good things are on the way, I'm really excited and I hope the girls go out and smash it."

Morgan on pre-match atmosphere:

"The mood is focused but confident and trying to enjoy it. Focus can come across as being in the zone but everyone seems relaxed and having a laugh which is really positive going into a game."

Bardsley on pre-match atmosphere:

"Relaxed is the big word, everyone's given out positive vibes. The whole week of training has been great, we've created a lot of momentum and are buzzing to get the game started. Ultimately it's going to be the best team that can handle the pressure, fingers crossed that's us today!"

Familiar face 🙌

Former City and current Everton midfielder Izzy Christiansen was our Conti Cup final hero back in 2014, and she's part of the BBC's coverage of this season's showpiece!

"I have very fond memories of lifting that trophy at Adams Park in Wycombe.

"I rose the highest in the box which I can rarely say in my career - great memories!"

Form Guide ✅

City come into Sunday's clash in great form, having won ten of our last twelve matches in all competitions.

Our route to the Final saw Taylor's side finish top of Group B North with nine points from our four games, scoring 14 goals and conceding just three, before we defeated Bristol City and Tottenham Hotspur in the knock-out rounds.

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last eight since losing 4-0 to Wolfsburg in the Champions League, winning six and drawing two.

Having entered the Conti Cup at the quarter-final stage due to their European participation, the Londoners beat West Ham and Manchester United to reach the last two.

This will be the fourth meeting of the two teams this season with Emma Hayes' side victorious in the three previous encounters.

Big City Weekender 📺

One weekend, two Manchester Derbies and a Cup final!

It's been a good start to the Big City Weekender so far, with City putting five past United in our Under-18 Premier League North clash earlier today.

Carlos Borges grabbed a hat-trick as Ben Wilkinson's youngsters ran riot!

Fingers crossed for a similar result and performance this evening 🤞 

Keira looks back on our most recent Conti Cup win 💭

Gareth Taylor speaking to Matchday Live 🗣

On this week's preparation

"Yeah we're feeling pretty good, pretty confident. We've had good preparation, the girls have looked good in training. It's been a nice week on the back of a good victory against our city rivals. The preparation's been good."

On keeping our cool

"It's about sticking to what we do. As much as it's a cup final, it's trying to keep the normality around it and play the game not occasion."

On team news

"One change was enforced with Vicky but bringing Caroline in, we know what she's capable of. We've also gone with the out and out pace merchant in Hayley Raso to try and cause Chelsea problems out wide."

Unfamiliar territory

Despite facing each other 28 times in all competitions, today's match will be the first time we've faced Chelsea in a final!

We've locked horns plenty of times in the Conti Cup though, with Emma Hayes' side getting the better of us in last season's quarter-final,

However, we came out on top two years earlier, winning 2-0 in the last four en route to our most recent triumph in 2019!

Get in the Conti Cup final mood by looking back on one of our previous triumphs 🏆

Alex Greenwood preview 🗣

The England international starts in defence today, and can't wait to get stuck in!

“Make no mistake, we know their qualities and we know they’ve got top quality internationals, but so have we," she said ahead of this afternoon's Conti Cup final.

“We’ve got a number of players who have experienced this before and won trophies year after year.

“We go into the game really confident, looking forward to it and fully prepared for what they’ll bring.

“Since that game (Chelsea 1-0 City in the WSL) we’ve had some positive results.

“Obviously, we took a lot away from that game that we could work on. Like (Gareth Taylor) said, we did everything but score on the day.

“But it’s a different game, a different competition on Saturday and one that we’re looking forward to.”

And here's how our opponents line-up today...

Two changes 🔁

Gareth Taylor makes two changes from our 4-1 FA Cup win over Manchester United last weekend, with the injured Vicky Losada and Jess Park replaced by Caroline Weir and Hayley Raso.

Back in the matchday squad, Laura Coombs is on the bench having missed our last two matches after recovering from a knee injury.

Starting at right-back, Lucy Bronze makes her 100th City appearance.

Ellie Roebuck starts between the sticks, shielded by a back four of Bronze, Alanna Kennedy, Alex Greenwood and Demi Stokes.

Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Weir make up the midfield three while, at the sharp, end Raso and Lauren Hemp will offer width on the flank for captain Ellen White.

City XI: Roebuck, Bronze, Kennedy, Greenwood, Stokes, Walsh, Stanway, Weir, Raso, Hemp, White

Subs: Keating, Coombs, Beckie, Angeldahl, Park, Shaw, Blakstad

Five in eight 👍

City are in familiar territory, having reached the Continental Cup final in five of the last eight seasons.

In our previous four appearances in the Conti Cup showpiece, we've ran out as victory on three occasions - most recently on penalties in the 2019 final against Arsenal.

Keira Walsh looked back on that game ahead of this weekend, we'll hear from her after the teams are announced...

Bronze 💯?

Should Lucy Bronze feature this afternoon, it would see her become the latest City player to make a century of appearances for the Club.

If we get the win, it's not a bad way to mark the milestone is it?

Early team news 📋

Gareth Taylor will confirm his starting XI for the Conti Cup final in around 20 minutes' time, but the City boss did provide a squad update in his pre-match press conference on Thursday.

We've received a welcome boost in the form of Laura Coombs, who is back in contention having missed our last two matches with a knee injury.

However, Taylor did concede that Vicky Losada is doubtful having picked up a knock in Sunday's FA Cup win over Manchester United.

Steph Houghton is unavailable having undergone Achilles surgery and while long-term absentee Chloe Kelly is nearing a return from an ACL injury picked up last year, the final has come a little too soon for her to feature.

Matchday Live 📺

Former City defender Nedum Onuoha joins Natalie Pike for a special Conti Cup final Matchday Live show this afternoon!

We'll also be joined by Karen Bardsley and Esme Morgan ahead of kick-off, so make sure you stay tuned for the best City-centric build-up.

The show is available on all our digital platforms, and gets under way at around 16:15.

It's Final Day 🏆

...How are your nerves?

Hello and welcome to our Matchday Centre ahead of the Continental Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City.

Kick-off at Plough Lane is scheduled for 17:15 (UK), and we'll bring you minute-by-minute coverage of all the action right across the afternoon!

COME ON, CITY 💙