Chelsea 5-0 Sunderland: Emma Hayes' Blues advance to the Women's League Cup semi-finals with victory

Chelsea reached the League Cup semi-finals for the seventh consecutive season with an easy win over Championship side Sunderland at Kingsmeadow.

Immediately after the restart, Aggie Beaver-Jones hit the opponent's net from an angle.

And Kirby closed out the win with two late tap-ins in the closing stages.

Kirby performs Chelsea's show class

Chelsea, who were exempted from the group stage due to their participation in Europe, played their first League Cup game since losing 3-1 to Arsenal in last season's final.

Manager Emma Hayes made 11 changes after her side won 3-0 in the league against Everton on Sunday, but her side have always been a level above Sunderland and are currently second in the Championship. It was rank.

The Black Cats only advanced to the last eight as group winners when they lost 7-0 to Aston Villa in Group A. Switched to home win After Villa used a player who was ineligible to play.

Kirby starred, and his late double meant the England forward had now scored four goals in his last four games in all competitions.

She assisted on two Blues goals and almost produced another within the first 20 minutes. When she matched the ball to a sliding Maika Hamano, her shot could only deflect wide.

The result means Women's Super League leaders Chelsea remain on course for a domestic treble in Hayes' final season in charge of the Blues.

Her team finished runners-up the past two seasons and last won the League Cup in 2021.

Sunderland's best chance came early in the first half when defender Grace McAtty's header just went over the bar.

Chelsea keeper Zesila Musovic was also forced into several routine saves in the second half.

The two-time winners next face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday. Sunderland's next league game is at home to Lewes on February 18th.