First-half headers from Lucia Garcia and Rachel Williams saw Manchester United beat Chelsea 2-1 to reach 2023-24 Women’s FA Cup Final.
Garcia headed Utd ahead just 41 seconds into the match from Leah Galton’s cross, before Williams doubled their lead with a 23rd minute header from Ella Toone’s cross to secure the Red Devils’ place in the Final for a second consecutive season.
Lauren James netted a consolatory goal in the fifth minute of first-half injury time from Niamh Charles’ cutback pass, as Chelsea’s title defence came to an end – having won the last three editions of this competition.
Speaking to BBC One post-match, Man Utd goalkeeper – Mary Earps praised her teammates for showing desire and determination to take victory over the reigning champions.
“It was the most gritty, it was the one with the most heart. Everyone that came into the game knew what we were trying to achieve.”
Man Utd will meet Tottenham in this season’s Women’s FA Cup Final on Sunday 12 May at Wembley Stadium, London, after Martha Thomas’ extra-time header completed Spurs’ 2-1 comeback win over Leicester as Jessica Naz cancelled out Jutta Rantala’s opening goal.
Having led Chelsea to consecutive titles in this competition across the last three seasons – including victory over Utd in last season’s final, Emma Hayes’ Blues began this semi-final tie as favourites especially given their unbeaten record against the Red Devils.
That form quickly counted for nothing barely 41 seconds into the match as Garcia nodded in from Galton’s cross to put the hosts into a shock early lead, after Williams’ headed flick was poorly knocked down for Galton to pounce and intercept.
Utd soon dug deep defensively to limit Chelsea whose best chance of the first half came in the 16th minute, as ex Red Devil – James teed up Johanna Rytting Kaneryd whose shot was comfortably saved by Earps towards the near-bottom right corner.
That wasted chance haunted Chelsea in the 23rd minute as Utd broke forward but Toone found herself cornered by Kadeisha Buchanan, only to wiggle free with a cross which Williams nodded into the left corner to double United’s lead whilst Hayes’ Blues were left reeling in shock.
Chelsea were eventually lucky to only find themselves 2-0 down heading into half-time after Williams missed a chance to extend Utd’s lead and score a second goal herself, having fired wide from Katie Zelem’s 28th minute shot.
Erin Cuthbert meanwhile had seen her shot for Chelsea a minute earlier deflected wide, but the subsequent corner came to nothing as Hayes’ Blues fought to get back into the game in their bid to retain the title as part of their push for a treble under their outgoing manager.
Utd though had kept just two clean sheets in their last four home games and couldn’t keep Chelsea at bay until half-time, and conceded in the fourth minute of first-half injury-time after Charles was able to cut back a pass for James to smash in and reduce the Blues’ deficit.
That goal fired Chelsea up for the second half but James saw a 51st minute header flapped away by Earps as Utd dug deep defensively, whilst Earps saved her 59th minute shot to create further frustrations for the visitors who looked more lively in the second half.
Both teams however committed hard in their defensive challenges with Eve Perisset, Galton, Earps and Cuthbert amongst those who needed treatment during the second half.
Utd rode their luck twice as Zelem escaped punishment for a tight handball on Rytting Kaneryd’s 58th minute shot, whilst Williams got lucky after she blocked Niamh Charles’ cross just 10 minutes later but referee – Kirsty Dowle didn’t adjudge both incidents as acts of handball.
Garcia almost settled the nerves of home supporters in the 85th minute as she swept Lisa Naalsund’s pass into the net for her second goal of the match, but the goal was chalked off due to an offside in the build-up as home fans’ celebrations quickly dissipated.
Utd eventually survived eight minutes of injury-time to secure their spot in the Final against Tottenham, and in-turn ensured that a new name will be on the Women’s FA Cup trophy for an 18th different time.
Marc Skinner’s Red Devils also claimed their first-ever win over Chelsea in all competitions.
Chelsea now know that winning at least one of the Women’s Super League and UEFA Women’s Champions League titles is imperative, otherwise Hayes’ final season in charge will end without silverware.
What’s Next?
Man Utd return to WSL action against Tottenham at home on Sunday 21 April in a 12pm BST kick-off at Leigh Sports Village.
Chelsea meanwhile host Aston Villa in a rearranged WSL match on Wednesday 17 April at Kingsmeadow at 7pm, before facing Barcelona in their two-leg UEFA Women’s Champions League semi – with first leg away on 20 April (12:30pm UK Time) then at home on 27 April (5:30pm) in second leg.
Teams
Man Utd: Mary Earps, Aoife Mannion, Maya Le Tissier, Millie Turner, Hannah Blundell, Lisa Naalsund, Katie Zelem, Lucia Garcia, Ella Toone (Ladd 64′), Leah Galton (Parris 70′), Rachel Williams (Malard 70′)
Substitutes: Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Gemma Evans, Alyssa Aherne, Irene Guerrero, Hayley Ladd, Hinata Miyazawa, Geyse, Melvine Malard, Nikita Parris
Chelsea: Hannah Hampton, Eve Perisset (Lawrence 82′), Jess Carter, Kadeisha Buchanan(Nusken 70′), Niamh Charles, Erin Cuthbert (Kirby 76′), Melanie Leupolz, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Beever-Jones 76′), Lauren James, Guro Reiten (Macario 70′), Mayra Ramirez,
Substitutes: Zecira Musovic, Sophie Ingle, Sjoeke Nusken, Catarina Macario, Ashley Lawrence, Fran Kirby, Maika Hamano, Jelena Cankovic, Aggie Beever-Jones
Referee – Kirsty Dowle
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