There was something familiar, almost expected, as Sam Kerr graced Wembley Stadium in the 68th minute with her trademark backflip after grabbing Chelsea's opener and eventual game-winner in the second-half of Sunday's FA Cup final against Manchester United.
Kerr knows this territory, admitting herself she'd "never been [to Wembley] and not won a trophy", a brazen, if not dangerous gift of schadenfreude for any other player if the sentiment does not ring true once the 90-minute clock runs dry.
But this is Kerr, and the FA Cup final is ultimately the feeding ground for the Australian striker, and by extension defending FA Cup champions Chelsea. The requisites for claiming a fifth title and a third on the bounce are etched in their DNA, if not the stars. So while an anaemic first half against a dominant United threatened to upset the status quo, it was Chelsea who emerged victorious to keep their ambitions of the domestic double alive in front of a record British domestic crowd in the women's game.
Manager Emma Hayes made three changes to the side that thrashed Leicester 6-0, with Kerr returning to the striker's position over Pernille Harder and Maren Mjelde and Jessie Fleming coming in for Jess Carter and Jelena Čanković. The decision looked immediately to be a dangerously misplaced one as Mjelde failed to clear Ella Toone's cross into the box and Leah Galton converted beyond Ann-Katrin Berger but the offside flag spared Chelsea early blushes.
The early warning became thematic of the first half, in which United routinely overwhelmed Chelsea's defence as the Blues acquiesced to errant passing and sloppiness in possession to cut themselves a disjointed facsimile of the beast that has come to be synonymous with big occasions such as this one.
But the introduction of Pernille Harder and Sophie Ingle 10 minutes after the restart proved decisive, and it took the Dane just 13 minutes to register her sixth goal involvement for Chelsea in three matches as she scythed down the left touchline to latch onto Guro Reiten's through ball and cross a brilliant ball into the path of Kerr, who could do little else but bury the shot beyond Mary Earps.
There is something about these moments that seem designed for Kerr, the Australian exerting a gravitational pull towards the high-pressure moments that most other players would crumble under. But Kerr's conviction in front of goal was crucially paralleled in the resolute defensive display from Chelsea thwarted United's best attempts at an equaliser, with a dramatic final few minutes forcing the Blues into a last-ditch defending as United continued to rally forward.
But it was Chelsea's experience that ultimately showed through as they seized their fifth FA Cup title and mounted a heady psychological blow to their title-rivals United with just two matches remaining in the league season
Below are the ratings.
Ann-Katrin Berger 7
Given an early warning from Galton's disallowed goal. Was the busier of the two keepers in the first half, having to come off her line to smother an early chance after United's press won the ball back high up the pitch. A finger tip save shortly after the half-hour mark denied Millie Turner after a frenetic scramble in the box.
Little changed in the second half with Berger once again kept busy, denying Russo and Galton within 10 minutes of the restart.
Eve Perisset 7
Exposed a lot due to Lauren James pushing forward and forced to defend most of the half. Did well to do so, but not much else she could offer given her role in the first-half. Continued to work hard. Subbed on the 72nd minute.
Maren Mjelde 6
Was spared early blushes as her failed clearance in the opening 20 seconds nearly gifted Galton the opener. Looked to be having a tough time containing United's many avenues for attack, with Russo particularly targeting her. Came up with a crucial block from another Ella Toone cross shortly after the 20-minute mark.
Very nearly cost Chelsea in the second half as another lapse in defence saw Russo outmuscle the defender in her own half but Berger was there to collect the ultimately tame shot. But showed plenty of resolve in the final 15 minutes as Chelsea held off United, including putting in another vital block to deny Rachel Williams six minutes from time.
Magdalena Eriksson 8
Helped settle her backline after a worrying start but was under pressure throughout the first half as she attempted to contain United's threats. Her experience was instrumental in keeping Chelsea's defence resolute as they defended their lead in some nervy last few minutes.
Niamh Charles 7
Was caught up the pitch a few times with Nikita Parris and Ella Toone smartly exploiting the space behind the full-back as she pushed forward to help Chelsea's attack. Was given the run around by Parris a few times and was lucky to have taken her down just outside the penalty area in first-half injury time.
Did well second half to keep compact in defence while maintaining her influence in attack.
Melanie Leopulz 5
Dropped deep to sit in front of the back line when Chelsea were on the attack but the first half was largely played without her having much affect. Ineffective after the restart and subbed in the second half for Sophie Ingle.
Jessie Fleming 5
Not the best of starts in midfield and misplaced passes gifted possession back to United cheaply. Not the best of displays and was subbed off 10 minutes after the restart by Pernille Harder.
Erin Cuthbert 7
Dropped deep to help carry the ball through Chelsea's midfield. Neat footwork and passing was critical in attempting to insert some decorum and composure into Chelsea's midfield. Any threat of attack sprang through her in the first half. Did the dirty work in midfield when those around her lagged and her physicality was pivotal as Chelsea defended their lead and negated United's attack.
Lauren James 6
An early show on the ball demonstrated signs what makes the Lioness so dangerous as she took Bundell one-on-one but the first-half went to Bundell as James struggled to get past her. It was James' looping header five minutes from time that gave Chelsea's their best chance the entire first-half.
Better in the second half and was almost through on goal on more than one occasion.
Guro Reiten 6
Marked well by Ona Battle and was largely anonymous in the first-half, no help to a meagre line of service. When handed a chance, failed to show her usual calibre. Looked much better in the second half, particularly upon the arrival of Harder. It was Reiten who slipped the through ball to Harder that eventually saw Chelsea grab their opener through Kerr.
Sam Kerr 7
Struggled to make much impact in the first-half with a worrisome lack of service and sloppiness in possession from her teammates behind her. Had more fun when Harder subbed in and in the 68th minute, the Australian could owe her trademark backflip to her recently returned teammate's arrival into the match as she converted a low finish beyond Earps from Harder's cross.
That's her seventh goal against United in her last five starts and another example of what the striker does best: show up when it matters.
Subs:
Pernille Harder 9 - POTM
Came in for Fleming in the 55th minute. Immediately made an impact as she and Kerr combined for Chelsea's best chance of the match thus far. It would take a mere 13 minutes for the Dane to make sure the myriad chances she was making were not in vain, and her crisp cross into the box was converted by Kerr.
Sophie Ingle 7
Came in for Leopulz in the 55th minute and quickly settled what remained of the frenetic midfield. Showed her experience and looked to break lines with smart passing while she and Cuthbert made it difficult for United in midfield. Scuffed a gorgeous chance on the 80th-minute mark as Kerr cut back to Ingle who was unmarked just outside the six-yard box but she sailed her shot over the bar.
Jess Carter 7
Came in after 70 minutes for Perisset and slotted into the backline well to keep Chelsea's defence shored up in the game's dying minutes.
