Manchester United advanced to the FA Cup final against Tottenham after a historic 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday.
In a rematch of last yr’s final, which they lost 1-0, Marc Skinner’s United took the lead in the first minute through Lucia Garcia, then doubled their lead midway through the first half when Rachel Williams headed home.
Former United player Lauren James scored a goal just before half-time and the visitors made most of their attacks after that but were unable to force extra-time, with Mary Earps making a superb save to beat James and substitute Catarina Macario hitting the crossbar.
The result’s United’s first win over Chelsea since the team’s formation in 2018, and they now have a likelihood to secure a maiden trophy after they return to Wembley on May 12 to face Spurs, who beat Leicester in the other semi-final. – final earlier on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Chelsea ended their fight for the trophy for the second game in a row, after last losing 1-0 to Arsenal in the League Cup final.
They remain in the hunt for the Women’s Super League – currently top of the table where United are fourth – and the Champions League, with the first semi-final match in Barcelona happening next Saturday, looking for glory in the previous couple of games before boss Emma Hayes leaves to take power in the United States.
United made a incredible start, taking the lead inside the first few seconds, with Chelsea defender Eve Perisset being penalized for losing possession and Leah Galton picking up the ball on the left and crossing to the far post, where Garcia headed the ball home.
After unsuccessful attempts by James and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, the hosts prolonged their advantage with one other header from the left, this time Ella Toone provided the pass, and experienced striker Williams was introduced into Nikita Parris’ starting XI. , nodding alongside Hannah Hampton.
Williams had a likelihood to make it 3-0 soon after, but she missed her shot and James fired into the side netting.
Chelsea then piled on more pressure as the break approached and after Mayra Ramirez’s header went wide and Earps did well to clear the ball from James wide of the post, the latter halved the deficit with a shot-in from Niamh Charles.
Earps – who was benched in England’s win over Ireland on Tuesday with Hampton playing as a substitute – then made an excellent higher save to maintain out one other James header six minutes into the second half.
As Chelsea continued to look for an equaliser, Rytting Kaneryd’s penalty claim was dismissed after she hit the ball to Katie Zelem and Earps got here into motion again, denying Erin Cuthbert and James.
Williams’ collision with Charles resulted in one other no penalty being awarded and Chelsea got here inside inches of equalizing when Macario’s curling corner hit the crossbar.
Parris’ shot was saved by Hampton at half-time and fellow substitute Aggie Beever-Jones fired into the side netting as Skinner’s side sealed the breakthrough triumph.
Credit : www.independent.co.uk