Nick Cushing failed to deliver a trophy on his return as City boss after the Japan international's unfortunate own goal proved costly.
Chelsea came out on top in the first of four consecutive matches against Manchester City, lifting the Women's League Cup after a narrow 2-1 win that saw Yui Hasegawa slice into her own net with just 13 minutes left on the clock.
It would be Sonia Bompastor's side who would take an early lead in the final – Ramirez racing onto Lauren James' pinpoint through ball and although Ayaka Yamashita kept out the Colombian's low shot, the ball ricocheted off Laia Aleixandri and back into the forward's path to allow her to tap into an empty net.
City improved after the goal and forced Hannah Hampton into two smart saves, with Leila Ouahabi and Aoba Fujino both going close, before Ramirez then squandered the chance to make it two on the counter, wastefully hitting the side netting after dribbling past Yamashita.
Nick Cushing, back in the City dugout on an interim basis following the shock dismissal of Gareth Taylor, will have demanded more from his side at half-time and after a scare that saw Yamashita make an impressive save from Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, they forced the equaliser.
Fujino was given room to drive forward into the box and unleashed a powerful effort that took Hampton by surprise at her near post, crashing into the net to make it 1-1. And City could've been in front soon after – Khadija Shaw, who had a frustrating afternoon by her exceptionally high standards, only managing to shoot straight at Hampton when put through on goal.
City would ultimately pay for the missed chances, and in heartbreaking circumstances. With just 13 minutes of normal time remaining, Hasegawa swung her left foot at Ramirez's cross from the right and inadvertently sent the ball looping past a helpless Yamashita and in.
There would be no way back for City from there, with Chelsea seeing out the final minutes to get their hands on the first silverware of the season.
GOAL rates Man City's players from Pride Park…
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Ayaka Yamashita (7/10):
Really unfortunate for the opener after initially making a decent save with her feet to deny Ramirez. Was solid thereafter, making one significant save to deny Kaneryd, and could do nothing about Hasegawa's unfortunate own goal.
Kerstin Casparij (6/10):
Solid enough defensively as she nullified the threat of James and Baltimore down Chelsea's left-hand side. Didn't offer much going forward, though.
Gracie Prior (6/10):
Appearing in a cup final in just her fourth start for City but handled the occasion well and dealt better with Ramirez than her centre-back partner, which is a credit to her.
Laia Aleixandri (5/10):
Had a really tough afternoon up against the dangerous Ramirez and allowed her opponent to run in behind her on too many occasions, including for the opening goal. That said, she was far better in the second half.
Leila Ouahabi (6/10):
Wasteful in possession at times but got forward to support attacks and forced Hampton into a decent save in the first half.
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Jill Roord (6/10):
A decent battle with Cuthbert and Nusken in the middle of midfield as she consistently tried to get things moving forward.
Yui Hasegawa (4/10):
Was having a solid enough game until the nightmare moment that saw her slice into her own net for City's winner.
Vivianne Miedema (5/10):
She came more into the game in the second 45 after a quiet first half, forcing Hampton into a decent low save, but ultimately City would've been hoping for more from her.
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Mary Fowler (6/10):
Threw in a number of dangerous crosses in the first half that City failed to convert and looked the most likely to make something happen.
Khadija Shaw (4/10):
Had to deal with some rough treatment from the Chelsea defenders and got her retribution with a nasty challenge on Cuthbert that earned her a booking. She'll be annoyed she didn't get on the scoresheet as she had a number of presentable chances that she ultimately wasted.
Aoba Fujino (7/10):
Caught out Hampton with a stinging shot at her near post that forced the equaliser. Tracked back well to help deal with the threat of James and Baltimore.
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Jess Park (N/A):
Looked bright after coming on but there wasn't enough time to get her side back into it.
Kerolin (N/A):
Didn't have enough time on the pitch to make a real impact.
Nick Cushing (6/10):
Back in the City dugout after five years away and, given the chances his side missed, he'll be frustrated not to get his hands on the trophy. Still, he'll be encouraged by a lot of what he saw from City and there's plenty of positives to take away going into Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final.
