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Chelsea have confirmed their place in the quarter-finals of the Women’s FA Cup with a 2-1 victory against last year’s runners-up Manchester United.
The tight-fought victory, which went to extra time, came courtesy of goals from Sam Kerr and Naomi Girma.
Champions Chelsea started the match the strongest and immediate pressure saw them almost take the lead from a corner. However, a flurry of blocks from United’s defence ensured the Blues would have to work hard to find an opener.
It took until the 78th minute for the deadlock to be broken, when Sam Kerr, on her 150th Chelsea appearance, got herself on the scoresheet. The lead lasted just minutes before substitute Simi Awujo scrambled the ball home to level the scoring. Chelsea then confirmed their place in the quarter-finals in the 99th minute when Girma scored her first goal for West London outfit.
Starting XIs
Chelsea: Hampton; Carpenter, Bronze, Girma, Buurman, Cuthbert, Walsh, Nüsken, Thompson, James, Rytting Kaneryd.
Manchester United: Tullis-Joyce; Janssen, Turner, Le Tissier, Lundkvist, Miyazawa, Zigiotti, Naalsund, Malard, Park, Wangerheim.
Sam Kerr continues to haunt Man United
Chelsea started the strongest of the two sides as United struggled to get a foothold in the early periods of the match, however the Reds soon grew into the game and were keen to use Jess Park as an outlet.
Having scored long-range goals in her previous two matches, Sonia Bompastor’s side were keen to eliminate the possibility of her scoring another. Despite this, Park remained a constant threat and saw herself have multiple opportunities to break the deadlock.
Midway through the first-half, a Melvine Malard cross found its way to the back post, where Park’s first-time effort sailed over the bar. It was then time for Chelsea to attack. With minutes left on the clock, Phallon Tullis-Joyce was called into action twice to deny Chelsea an opener.
The US international dropped low to deny Erin Cuthbert, and stood strong to deny Lauren James, whose effort was heading for the far post.
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Set pieces appeared a constant threat throughout the match and resulted in all three goals scored. Just ten minutes into the second half, Veerle Buurman was well-positioned for a goal line clearance.
Park once again was involved from the 20-yard area as she saw her thunderous effort bounce off the woodwork to safety. However, the home side broke the deadlock with less than 15 minutes on the clock.
Kerr bagged her ninth goal in her last ten appearances against the Red Devils. The Matilda volleyed Buurman’s header, which bounced off the post and beyond Tullis-Joyce.
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Immediate Man United reply in tense FA Cup clash
With one foot in the quarter-finals, United were not done yet. Another set piece, another goal.
Three minutes after Kerr bagged the opener, Simi Awujo levelled the scoring. Awujo, a second half substitute, scrambled the ball beyond Hannah Hampton after a crazy goal mouth frenzy.
Both teams were pushing for a winner, but with time ticking down, extra time always seemed likely. Within the final 30 minutes, Chelsea showed why they are champions and applied unrelenting pressure on United’s goal.
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Midway through the first-half of extra time, Chelsea regained their lead. It was another set piece which carved the breakthrough. Sandy Baltimore’s corner sparked trouble as Tullis-Joyce dropped low to deny Buurman. However United’s defence hesitated, allowing Girma to pounce and tap in her first Chelsea goal.
United failed to respond and, despite a late penalty appeal, fell short against the defending champions.
