Sam Kerr scored four goals as Chelsea ruthlessly swept aside West Ham to reach their fourth successive Continental League Cup final.
The Women’s Super League leaders, who won the cup in 2020 and 2021, were 3-0 up after just 22 minutes, with Kerr scoring twice, a clean Fran Kirby finish either side.
West Ham’s errors contributed to every goal and their generosity gave Kerr a third chance, with Hawa Sissoko’s stumble allowing the Australian to head home clear.
After Lauren James scored the fifth goal, Kerr was again left unmarked to score the fourth, before Gaurav Rattin scored the Blues’ seventh try.
The Blues, who were beaten by Manchester City in last season’s final, face Arsenal for the trophy at Selhurst Park on March 5.
The only concern from Emma Hayes was that Kirby limped off with an injury in the first half.
In the previous three seasons, Chelsea have won seven of the nine major domestic trophies on offer.
It could be 12 to 10 by the end of 2022-23 if all goes to plan, with the Blues top of the WSL, in the fifth round of the FA Cup and now a fourth League Cup final. Few would bet against him in this form.
From the outset, the gulf in class between themselves and the Hammers was glaringly obvious, with the Blues quicker and quicker on the ball and smarter in their movement and passing.
And in Kerr, Hayes’ team is the most ruthless finisher in the women’s game.
At the weekend, West Ham held Chelsea to a goalless draw at title rivals Arsenal, courtesy of a tenacious and impressive rearguard who admired Hayes.
However, she will not be expecting the help that the Hammers offered her on Thursday, with sloppy passes, defensive errors and a welcome superior defensive line allowing the Blues to run amok. .
Kerr was left in space to tap in before a Retten free-kick, with Kirby having acres of space to run clear for the second, with clumsy play at the back responsible for three and four.
With their first League Cup final chance gone and their spirits broken, Kerr and Co. were easily lifted by West Ham after the break.
It was understandable that Hammers boss Paul Koncheski named an unchanged side from the game with Arsenal, but his wisdom – after such a physical effort four days earlier – can be questioned.
So firmly were West Ham kept on the back foot by their opponents, they were never able to pivot into a meaningful forward-thinking stance.
The closest they came could only have been a consolation after Chelsea failed to properly clear the ball in the box.
They must now brace themselves for another knockout game, this time against Aston Villa in the fifth round of the FA Cup after the international break.
Chelsea will take a 20-game unbeaten run in all competitions into their own FA Cup tie – a tantalizing dress rehearsal for the League Cup final against Arsenal.
