After dominating the first half, Chelsea paid the price for not taking their chances.

Parris got the first from the penalty spot on 49 minutes after being brought down in the box by Deanna Cooper.

She then sprinted clear to side-foot home the second on 81 minutes.

That sets up a meeting in the final at Bramall Lane, Sheffield on 23 February against the winners of Thursday's second semi-final between Arsenal and Manchester United at Borehamwood.

City beat Chelsea at the same stage last season, on their way to a 1-0 final defeat by Arsenal, the five-time winners of this relatively new competition that is only in its eighth season.

It looked like Chelsea, third in the WSL and six points behind City, might have a chance of reaching the final for the first time when they created good first-half chances.

But Fran Kirby was denied by Karen Bardsley, then Erin Cuthbert's follow-up effort went over the bar. And Bardsley then saved Cuthbert's volley before Millie Bright had an effort cleared off the line.

Instead, City held firm and took advantage after the break to keep alive their hopes of lifting this trophy for a third time.