United came into the game on the back of an 11-match unbeaten run, having not tasted defeat since the reverse fixture against Chelsea back in November, and started this meeting in confident mood.
However, Chelsea grew into the contest, and took the lead through Sam Kerr’s lobbed finish over Mary Earps after 23 minutes, and that proved to be enough to separate the sides come the end of the 90 minutes.
The Reds had chances to equalise in both halves – perhaps most notably through Alessia Russo 10 minutes before half-time – but it ultimately wasn’t to be for Marc Skinner’s side at Kingsmeadow.