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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Laura Hartley

Chelsea book Women's FA Cup final clash with Man Utd after Sam Kerr heroics - 5 talking points

Chelsea have booked their place in the Women's FA Cup final after a scrappy semi-final which saw a 59th minute goal from Sam Kerr secure the win.

Chelsea didn't look their best as they looked to make their seventh FA Cup final and get their hands on the first piece of silverware this season, and looked less organised than their normal selves.

Aston Villa had their chances but couldn't find the back of the net, as Kirsty Hanson proved vital for providing the opportunities but it wasn't to be for the Villans making their first ever final.

Here are five talking points from the weekend's two semi-finals.

Sam Kerr is one of the best in the world

Who else to get on the scoresheet and win the match for Chelsea than Sam Kerr.

She once again proved she will be one to try and stop at the World Cup, and vital for Chelsea in their Champions League and WSL domination.

Chelsea's top goalscorer has not gone more than three matches for club without finding the back of the net, a feat only Khadija Shaw has bested.

Kerr was once the difference in the match which saw the holders progress through to the next stages and cause heartbreak for Villa.

Sam Kerr won the game for Chelsea Women (PA)

Mary Earps makes rare error

The England number one and FIFA Best Goalkeeper winner made a rare mistake during the first semi-final against Brighton on Saturday.

Earps fumbled trying to save Veatriki Sarri's cross into Katie Robinson but a very rare blunder saw her tip it into her own goal.

However true to her own grit and determination, Earps looked determined to make amends, even venturing out onto the field for the second half a good five minutes before the rest of her teammates.

Brighton's hope under new manager

It's been a rocky season for Brighton Women but proved they have renewed hope under American coach Melissa Phillips.

Despite the own goal from Earps, they held their own well and it became clear from their determination they have a new mentality under Phillips.

“They’re good enough. They’ve got it in them,” Phillips said, when asked about the prospect of her players surviving the drop.

“It’s just about building an identity. They’ve not had the chance to properly do that with the changes in management. So we have to build an identity, we have to build belief and that’s what we’re going to stay focused on.”

Aston Villa's lack of execution

There wasn't much in it between both teams, but Villa will be frustrated with their performance but they should still have confidence as they proved they can go toe-to-toe with arguably the best team in the country - and one of the best in Europe.

Villa had nothing to lose in the dying stages and threw absolutely everything they could at Chelsea but just couldn't find the goal they so desperately needed.

Alisha Lehmann spoke to BBC post-match: "We didn't use our chances, we created a lot in front of the goal and we just missed a goal.

"Sometimes it happens in football and today is not our lucky day I guess."

Chelsea on for the treble this season

Chelsea's win and ticket to the final for the seventh time has kept them on track for the treble this season as they

They sit second in the WSL just behind Manchester United in the title race, and Emma Hayes has her eyes on winning the Champions League for the first time.

While there will be plenty of obstacles for Chelsea to overcome if they are to realise all of their ambitions in the coming weeks, their experience and guile should give them the upper hand when they take on Wembley debutants Manchester United in the FA Cup Final next month, with Emma Hayes' side bidding to win the competition for a third successive season.

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