Manchester United Women 2-1 Chelsea Women: United to face Tottenham in Women’s FA Cup final
Manchester United beat Women’s FA Cup holders Chelsea in a thrilling semi-final to set up a Wembley final against Tottenham on 12 May.
United, who lost 1-0 to the Blues in last year’s final, scored inside the opening 60 seconds at Leigh Sports Village.
Chelsea right-back Eve Perisset made an error that allowed Leah Galton to race free down the left and her cross was headed in at the far post by Lucia Garcia.
The hosts doubled their lead in the 23rd minute as England midfielder Ella Toone showed great skill to avoid a challenge on the left touchline and swing in a cross, which was met by Rachel Williams’ powerful header.
England forward Lauren James gave Chelsea a lifeline in the fourth minute of first-half injury time, firing powerfully past her Lionesses team-mate Mary Earps.
Chelsea pushed for an equaliser, only for Earps to make an excellent save to keep out James’ looping header and also deny Melanie Leupolz a goal on her 30th birthday.
Catarina Macario’s inswinging corner also bounced off the crossbar as the hosts came under severe pressure but, despite the visitors dominating the second half, United held on for an excellent win to earn a return to Wembley.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Man Utd Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 27EarpsBooked at 79mins
- 5MannionBooked at 77mins
- 4Le Tissier
- 21TurnerBooked at 45mins
- 6Blundell
- 16Naalsund
- 10Zelem
- 17GarcíaBooked at 68mins
- 7TooneSubstituted forLaddat 64′minutes
- 11GaltonSubstituted forParrisat 70′minutesBooked at 78mins
- 28WilliamsSubstituted forMalardat 70′minutes
Substitutes
- 8Guerrero
- 9Malard
- 12Ladd
- 15Evans
- 20Miyazawa
- 22Parris
- 23da Silva Ferreira
- 36Aherne
- 91Tullis-Joyce
Chelsea Women
Formation 4-4-2
- 24Hampton
- 15PérissetSubstituted forLawrenceat 82′minutes
- 7Carter
- 26BuchananSubstituted forNüskenat 70′minutes
- 21Charles
- 19Rytting KanerydSubstituted forBeever-Jonesat 76′minutes
- 8Leupolz
- 22CuthbertSubstituted forKirbyat 76′minutes
- 11ReitenSubstituted forMacárioat 70′minutes
- 10JamesBooked at 45mins
- 35Ramírez
Substitutes
- 1Musovic
- 5Ingle
- 6Nüsken
- 9Macário
- 12Lawrence
- 14Kirby
- 23Hamano
- 28Cankovic
- 33Beever-Jones
Live Text
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Match ends, Manchester United Women 2, Chelsea Women 1.
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Second Half ends, Manchester United Women 2, Chelsea Women 1.
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Attempt missed. Ashley Lawrence (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Catarina Macário with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Mary Earps.
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Attempt saved. Mayra Ramírez (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ashley Lawrence with a cross.
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Attempt missed. Melvine Malard (Manchester United Women) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
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Attempt missed. Agnes Beever-Jones (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Sjoeke Nüsken.
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Attempt missed. Mayra Ramírez (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left.
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Melanie Leupolz (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Melvine Malard (Manchester United Women).
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Foul by Sjoeke Nüsken (Chelsea Women).
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Lucía García (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match because of an injury Mary Earps (Manchester United Women).
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Foul by Agnes Beever-Jones (Chelsea Women).
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Nikita Parris (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt blocked. Lauren James (Chelsea Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Agnes Beever-Jones.
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Offside, Manchester United Women. Nikita Parris is caught offside.
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Substitution, Chelsea Women. Ashley Lawrence replaces Ève Périsset.
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Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Aoife Mannion.
