Thank you for joining me for this history-making semi-final. Chelsea have been beaten by Manchester United for the first time. The Blues will not be able to extend their hold on the Women’s FA Cup to four consecutive season. Manchester United’s dominant first half performance and impressive defensive efforts in the second 45 see them through to the final where they face Tottenham. For all the action have a read of the report below. We will be back with more women’s football action in an hour or so with Arsenal’s WSL match against Bristol City. Until then have a good evening.
Here’s some reaction from Chelsea boss Emma Hayes. She is in her last season at the club and faces the prospect of not winning any trophies from it. Chelsea are currently second the WSL table and face defending champions Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League semi-finals.
She said: “You can’t gift two goals so early in the game against top opponents. The first a mistake in first minute, the second from a throw in. They had four entries into box in first half, two goals. We had 42 and one goal. We have to do better. We gave ourselves lots to do…
“I want to say congratulations to Man Utd, their fans, the players put up a great fight and Mary Earps produced world-class saves.”
A fun fact for you:
Chelsea's exit from the #WomensFACup confirms that, for the first time in a decade since Liverpool's 2014 WSL title, a club that isn't Arsenal/Chelsea/Man City is now going to win a major women's trophy in England this season.
— Tom Garry (@TomJGarry) April 14, 2024
Those three clubs have won 27 in a row between them.
A blow for Tottenham Hotspur with that Manchester United win meaning Grace Clinton will not be able to play in the final as she can’t face her parent club (she is on loan to Spurs from United).
“I just feel sorry for her,” Tottenham boss Robert Vilahamn said. “She’s not getting a chance to play at Wembley in a big final. We have a big squad and a lot of good players. We know why she cannot play against them but we have a lot of players who can do that job. It’s mostly [sorry] for her.”
At the time it felt significant when the penalty was not awarded but with so much time left of the game it felt Chelsea could still throw a punch. But now the game is over the missed penalty call feels crucial and Chelsea and their fans will be fuming. It is a clear handball and would most likely have been given had VAR been in operation. What do you think?
What it means for United:
WE'RE INTO THE FA CUP FINAL! 😍#MUWomen || #WomensFACup pic.twitter.com/6Xn9yBOUQ6
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) April 14, 2024
Goal-scorer Rachel Williams told the BBC: “I can’t even put it into words. All week we have been grafting… When she put sin balls like that you have to finish them. To finally beat Chelsea [is amazing].”
Earps herself made some amazing saves in this semi-final. She made one in the first half but she put in two incredible saves when Chelsea were peppering United’s goal. The two goals early in the first half of course secured the win but Earps’ saves equally is to thanks for this win.
Manchester United keeper Mary Earps told the BBC: This season has been so hard, it is has been mentally brutal. But back int he final, c’mon.
“I feel we have been lacking aggression in our games this season. The girls knew we had to give this a good go, it is heavy when things don’t go your way in the league. It was ugly and it was horrible but I don’t care because we won.”
Just over two weeks ago Chelsea had a quadruple on their hands. Now they have a double with the WSL and Champions League title nowhere near guaranteed. Hayes’ last season unravelling.
The response from the stands and the bench shows just what that win means to them. The coaches and players erupt with elation. Mary Earps celebrates wildly. A piece of history in their first win over Chelsea. The stands are jumping, singing and quite frankly I haven’t seen a celebration in women’s football like that for a long time. A moment they will never forget.
Manchester United reach Women's FA Cup final with 2-1 win over Chelsea
Manchester United are through to the Women’s FA Cup final after beating defending champions Chelsea for the first time. They will play Tottenham in the final, who have reached their maiden final. What a match and performance from United, so well marshalled and the game management was supreme.
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90 + 8 min: Macario is in, but it’s out for a goal kick. Surely that is it?
90 + 8 min: Hampton is up as Chelsea win a corner.
90 + 6 min: Ramirez scuffs a shot and Beever-Jones then has a shot but she hits the side netting – this is just not Chelsea’s day.
90 + 5 min: The fans in the stands look nervous, knowing the threat Chelsea pose. But today United seem to have banished the Chelsea curse. A first win against the Blues beckons. A spot in the Women’s FA Cup final. A incredible chance for their first silverware in five years.
90 + 4 min: Chelsea are starting to force options here and no wonder with the clock winding down but if they want to find an equaliser they need an air of patience too. I would be surprised if United don’t win this game now, they look like they are firmly in control despite Chelsea’s possession.
90 + 2 min: United have to manage this game now, keep their heads. They create a great chance with Parris shooting but Hampton saves. The keeper gets her team back underway again/
90 + 1 min: Garcia is fouled by Nusken and she wins a free kick, a perfect outcome with the clock winding down. Zelem takes the set piece and the delivery is on the edge of the box and Charles clears. There be eight minutes added – time for an equaliser.
89 min: Chelsea are still searching for an equaliser but it just feels their opportunity may have gone now. Things are starting to swing back in United’s direction once again, they are minutes away from history.
87 min: I think Earps had a bit of cramp, she is okay to continue.
86 min: The ball drops perfectly to Parris and she lays it off but Garcia is offside. Chelsea look to strike back but they give away a free kick and United can clear. Earps is down again here, some boos come down from the Chelsea fans.
84 min: United come through, fans want a penalty as Naalsund is down in the box but United players don’t appeal. They are still a huge threat going forward but their opportunities have been rare in this half.
82 min: Chelsea make another change before the corner with Lawrence on for Perisset. The delivery from the corner is good and it almost goes all the way in for Macario. Earps doesn’t get a touch to it so it’s a goal kick.
81 min: United win a good throw in and Garcia goes for the shot but it is way off target. Chelsea now on the ball again and they win a corner.
80 min: Macario is over this again and she whips it in perfectly but Garcia heads away. Chelsea come forward again, they really are throwing absolutely everything at United right now. It goes out for a goal kick though, it just doesn’t seem like it is Chelsea’s day. Earps gets a yellow card for time wasting.
78 min: Mannion gets a yellow card for a shirt pull on Ramirez and Chelsea have a free kick. It is a good delivery from Macario but Parris clears. Carter wins it backand Parris absolutely clears her out for a yellow card. Another free kick to come.
76 min: Chelsea are prepping some changes here during this break in play. Cuthbert is coming off and Kirby is on, Kaneryd is also off for Beever-Jones.
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74 min: United peel away in the midfield, Garcia is tackled by Cuthbert and Chelsea eventually clear. Cuthbert remains down. She is struggling a bit and will need some attention.
73 min: Ramirez laughs as she thinks it should be a corner but it is ruled a goal kick. Chelsea starting to become really frustrated with the referee calls. United are controlling this game right now, they have less than 20 minutes to go to make history.
72 min: The corner delivery from Perisset is easily cleared by United. Chelsea come back immediately with Kaneryd crossing in but it is really well defended once again. United really fronting up in defence.
71 min: Parris is on for United with Williams off, that could be an injury change there as she limps a little off the pitch before the corner is taken. Galton is also off for Malard. Chelsea makes changes with Reiten off for Macario and Buchanan is off for Nusken.
70 min: Chelsea win another free kick and this time Garcia gets a yellow card for the foul. Perisset takes it, it is a long way out but the delivery is good. The ball pinballs, a Chelsea play goes down and they want a penalty but it isn’t given. They get a shot on target but Earps saves and it is out for a corner.
68 min: James take it, it is on target but it is an easy one for Earps to collect. Chelsea need to strike soon or all of these efforts will be for nothing.
67 min: Chelsea come again, I may as well copy and paste that line at the moment. The referee whistle blows for Le Tissier for a foul on Ramirez and Chelsea have a free kick in a good position.
65 min: Toone looked angry coming off the pitch, she was having a good game but Skinner’s tactics have worked out so far. Play is back underway and Earps is okay to continue.
64 min: Earps has clasped her shoulder here and is receiving medical attention, she would be a huge miss if she does go off here. United have made a change with Toone off for Ladd.
63 min: Chelsea keep putting on the pressure and it is popped into the area, Earps collects but she is then clattered by Reiten. No yellow given but the keeper stays on the ground – hopefully she is okay but she may also be taking the sting out of this Chelsea momentum.
61 min: Chelsea come in again and it pinballs around, frantic defence sees it out for a Chelsea corner. The delivery is good but the header is way over the bar from Leupolz. On the replay, Zelem’s handball would have been a bit harsh – her hand made contact but there wasn’t much she could have done about it.
60 min: Chelsea players blow up as Zelem look to have handballed there but nothing is given. Zelem turned away from the referee and nothing is given but Chelsea are not happy with that decision. Chelsea then have two shots at goal but Earps saves well.
58 min: Chelsea look like they have clicked into the form fans are used to seeing but have United already done too much for the Blues to affect the result? Time will tell but United are repelling the chances Chelsea are throwing at them so far.
57 min: Chelsea look to find a way through but the pass forward has too much on it, Earps clears. Williams then wins a free kick from Leupolz, this tie is heating up between these rivals. United take it through Toone but Charles clears.
55 min: United have their first promising attack of this half and Galton is taken out by Perisset, she looked like she did a bit of a forward roll there. Not a foul though as they both went for the ball. They are both okay to continue.
54 min: Hampton looks for a long distribution but her kick smacks Williams who jumped to block it, she is okay to continue but that must have hurt. Chelsea do get into the box again but Kaneryd’s pass doesn’t quite reach Ramirez.
52 min: Mary is really the queen of stops isn’t she? My word, what a save. The ball drops to James who puts in a looping shot but Earps leaps and blocks. Huge.
51 min: Reiten delivers it into the box but Le Tissier clears. It comes back to Buchnan on the halfway and she tries to find Kaneryd but it has too much on it for a goal kick.
50 min: A great run from Ramirez and she chooses to go for goal herself but it is well blocked, it is deflected out for a corner.
48 min: Blundell does well to match Kaneryd and prevents a cross and also does not concede a corner. The former Chelsea player is having a good game so far.
47 min: Chelsea look to press here as they want to strike back and also capitalise on the momentum they had before the break. Ramirez looks to cross into the box but she is offside.
Back underway! Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea
45 minutes of normal time remain. Can United see this out to reach a second Women’s FA Cup final? Or will Chelsea take it to extra time and penalties or win it? History either way is on the line.
A good read here before we get into the second half from Sophie Downey:
Well when this semi-final had just begun, the other ended. Tottenham booked their spot in the Women’s FA Cup final for the first time. You can read the report here:
Well I thought Chelsea were done, they couldn’t find their flow and they were two goals down. But they are defending champions for a reason and that late goal in the first half changes the picture slightly. United’s response in the second half will be interesting.
Half-time! Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea
Well this tie has become very interesting. Manchester United were in full control with two beautiful headers to put them 2-1 up but Lauren James has sniped one back before half-time.
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45 + 5 min: There was a bit of afters there with James annoyed with something that Turner did. Referee doesn’t pull it up. Charles delivered to James who rifled home – wow. Boos rain in when the scorer is announced.
GOAL! Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea (James, 45+5')
Chelsea get their goal!
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45 + 4 min: There is the queen of stops! Earps puts in a phenomenal save with the keeper pushing James’ header wide for a corner.
45 + 3 min: Perisset has a good delivery into the box but Ramirez’ header is off target – Le Tissier pushed her out of the way there but VAR isn’t in operation so no pen. Chelsea are pushing, if they score before the break this could make this tie very interesting.
45 + 1 min: Ramirez is back on the pitch, great to see. She is straight into action as she passes a great ball but no one is in the box to receive it. There will be five minutes added.
45 min: Ramirez is now back to her feet, Garcia helps her up – a lovely moment. I think the Chelsea striker is okay to continue.
44 min: Le Tissier seems to have body checked Ramirez, it looks like she has put a little bit of force behind that. There is no VAR in operation so nothing will come of that. There’s a break in play as Ramirez receives treatment, she has not yet moved yet.
42 min: Hayes is not stood in the technical area, she has remained sat down 0 unsure what that says about the manager’s temperament right now. Perisset heads it back towards goal and Hampton manages to control it, heart in the mouth moment. Chelsea come forward again and Ramirez collides with a United player, she has stayed down.
40 min: United win a free kick after James fouls. They pass it backwards and will be patient in their build-up here. They eventually work it upfield but Perisset clears.
38 min: James gets into the box but her shot hits the side netting. LJ has been kept relatively quiet so far which is partly why Chelsea’s attack is faltering. It is hard to put into words what this result would do if it remains as it is. The Women’s FA Cup domination from Chelsea would be over. United could get their hands on the first bit of silverware since they were promoted into the WSL. Just huge.
36 min: Chelsea get it into the box again and the ball pinballs around but they can’t pull the trigger. United can afford to have so many defenders in the box with the scoreline as it is.
34 min: United come again but Williams is tackled well by Carter. Chelsea are now searching of a way through the red sea in the midfield, they find some daylight as they play inti the box but the hosts defend well again.
32 min: A lot of chat now on Chelsea’s injuries but that cannot be to blame for the performance here, the Blues are stacked full of internationals and they have shown earlier in the season they can get results without the likes of Kerr and Bright. This is down to a superb United performance so far and Chelsea being blown away.
30 min: United have the next chance at goal but Williams’ effort has too little power on it and it’s out for a goal kick. I can’t remember the last time Chelsea looked so bereft of ideas and put in such a poor performance early on.
28 min: Reiten delivers and it comes to Cuthbert on the edge of the box, they then run it back into the midfield – a wasted option.
27 min: Chelsea look to cut the deficit here as Cuthbert slices at goal but it takes a deflection and it is out for a corner.
25 min: Toone did unbelievably well to get away from Leupolz and she rockets a ball into the box, Williams is in the perfect position and heads home. United are causing an upset here and are on their way to the first-ever win over Chelsea. The defending champions are shook.
GOAL! Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea (Williams, 24')
Skinner’s selection comes good.
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23 min: Chelsea are finding it difficult to get in the box and when they do United’s defence are all over them. The game plan from the hosts is being executed really well right now. Mannion looks to counter with a beaut of a ball but Carter tracks back and clears.
21 min: James takes the corner, she passes to Perisset on the edge of the box but United clear her delivery. The visitors continue to press the pressure button but Galton does so well in the box to clear.
19 min: Kaneryd makes a good run down the right but her pass into the box is poor, it needed more power on it but Turner tracked back well to put her off. Chelsea keep pressing and James wins a corner.
18 min: United win a free kick in a good position. Toone laid it off to Garcia but her delivery into the box was poor and it goes out for a goal kick.
17 min: Chelsea get into the box and Ramirez tries to weave into some space but she can’t get it away. It comes to Kaneryd on the edge and she takes a punt but Earps collects well, it had some force behind it and the keeper did well to not spill it.
15 min: Chelsea are playing with a lot of possession here but United do not seem to mind and why would they? They are 1-0 up and defending really well against a rattled Chelsea.
13 min: Leupolz gets a chance at goal but it is easily collected from Earps, it feels Chelsea are forcing things are bit here and they need to settle. There is a lot of chat on the commentary about Chelsea’s treble on the line and Siobhan Chamberlain has said Emma Hayes would happily give the cups and league away from the Champions League. I am unsure if that is true but also Chelsea aren’t throwing titles away in order to win the Champions League.
11 min: Here comes United again but this time Chelsea defend them well. The early goal gave this game a frantic energy but it seems to have tempered now with both sides pulling punches.
9 min: Chelsea have had the upper hand in terms of possession since conceding but they are yet to find the form they are used to. United are rattling the defending champions.
7 min: Tottenham have reached the Women’s FA Cup final for the first time after beating Leicester 2-1 after extra time. A huge result for the team and it means they are the opposition for the winner of this semi. Chelsea are coming forward now, Reiten lays it off to James but her effort is over the bar.
6 min: Reiten takes the corner and the delivery is good but Galton is able to clear the danger initially, Mannion then clears long.
5 min: James shows her frustration with a bit of a push and shove with Zelem. Both players get a talking to from the referee. The visitors get some time up the other end and Ramirez wins a corner.
4 min: This is a scenario Chelsea won’t be used to, they are the ones chasing a result here now. There is a long old way to go in this semi-final but my word United couldn’t have asked for a better start.
2 min: There was a defensive blunder from Chelsea, a pass back went straight to the feet of Galton and she made a blinding run. Her cross is incredible and Garcia just needed a head home. What a start from the hosts.
GOAL! Manchester 1-0 Chelsea (Garcia, 1')
WOW!
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Kick-off! Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea
Here we go. Can United beat Chelsea for the first time? Or will defending champions Chelsea charge into the final? All to come.
Spurs have just scored late into extra time in the other semi-final! Just minutes left over in that one against Leicester, I’ll keep you up to date when I can.
The players are out now! Kick-off is imminent.
Emma Hayes has avoided questions about her Jonas Eidevall comments after the Conti Cup final to the BBC pre-match, she has put the focus back on the game today.
If you have read one of my blogs before you know I love a bit of snack chat, so do get in touch and let me know what you are tucking into for this one. But I’d also like to know if you think a Jaffa cake is a cake or a biscuit. I was at a comedy evening the other day and he asked the audience for their favourite biscuit and someone shouted ‘Jaffa cake’. I think it is a cake but what do you think? Let me know via email or X (@rendellx).
Can Manchester United finally beat Chelsea? No matter the competition or circumstances in each team Marc Skinner’s side have never been able to slay the Chelsea beast. But now they have more knockout football experience and Chelsea are missing a few stars now could be the time. They will need their players like Leah Galton to take charge of the action and really bring it against the Blues. Another key will be keeping Lauren James off the ball.
Tottenham v Leicester is into extra time and Leicester have just hit the bar. This semi-final is going down to the wire, keep up with all the action:
Manchester United manager Marc Skinner spoke before the game: “Chelsea is probably the toughest challenge within football, especially in England. I think they have proven before that a setback isn’t something that necessarily bothers them. They try to obviously win the next game. We have to be at our very best. We have no doubt about that. We’ve got to be humble enough to work hard. We’ve got to sacrifice and suffer without the ball but, when we get it, we got to show an abundance of personality. If we can do that, I have no doubt we can beat any team, let alone a team that’s as good as Chelsea.”
The Chelsea press conference was the first to take place since the Conti Cup final and so Emma Hayes was asked about the comments she made about Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall. She had been criticised for saying his actions were “male aggression” with many disagreeing with her point of view. Take a look at her response when asked about them:
Last year’s final did not feature many goals with only one scored by Chelsea in the 68th minute. It came as a result of a pinpoint cross from Pernille Harder and a finish by Sam Kerr. Both of those players will not be on the pitch today. Harder moved to Bayern Munich last summer and Kerr is injured. Chelsea will have to find some cup magic from another source. Take a look at the goal and highlights from the final:
In the other semi-final, Leicester City took an early lead against Tottenham but Spurs have scored a late equaliser. Whoever wins that clash will be a first-time finalist in the competition. To keep up with the closing stages of normal time read the blog:
Not starting Nikita Parris seems like a bold call. She is the competition’s top scorer and is in fine form this season. There has not been any news on an injury to the England international but I’ll keep a pulse on the pre-match interviews in case Marc Skinner sheds some light on his selection. Geyse and Malard also benched, Skinner has definitely raised a few eyebrows.
Here are Chelsea. Millie Bright may have been back in training this week but she doesn’t make the squad for the semi. Lauren James, Guro Reiten and Mayra Ramirez lead the line.
Our semi-final XL. 👀 #CFCW pic.twitter.com/WQC32ygQ0K
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) April 14, 2024
The team news is here. Rachel Williams is usually called upon as a super sub but she starts today with Nikita Parris on the bench.
United:
🔐 Locked in for our #WomensFACup semi-final.
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) April 14, 2024
Let's do this, girls 💪#MUWomen pic.twitter.com/qomGU50Of4
Chelsea are yet to announce their team, I’ll let you know when they have.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the Women’s FA Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Manchester United. The game is a replay of last year’s final where Chelsea lifted the trophy for the third time in a row.
2023 was the first time United had reached the final and they will be hoping to replicate the result this year. However, they come up against a team they have never beaten before. Will they be able to conquer Chelsea finally? Emma Hayes’ team will do their best to maintain their 100% record against them, especially after losing the Conti Cup final two weeks ago.
Hayes is in her last season in charge of the club and so far she has not silverware from the campaign. Her first opportunity was the Conti Cup but Arsenal defeated them 1-0. A win today would see the Blues take a step forward toward another trophy.
But who is playing for both sides? The team news will be available soon so stay tuned before kick-off at 2.35pm BST.
