- Man City beat Chelsea 3-2 after extra time
- Mary Fowler and Khadija Shaw inspired the comeback
- City will now face Brighton in the FA Cup final
Manchester City produced a stunning late comeback against Chelsea to reach the Women’s FA Cup final after a dramatic extra-time win at Stamford Bridge.
Man City looked to be heading out of the Women’s FA Cup when Chelsea held a two-goal lead deep into the second half.
Erin Cuthbert had given the Blues an early advantage before Sam Kerr doubled the lead after the break. This left City with a huge task in the final stages.
However, Mary Fowler gave Andrée Jeglertz’s side hope before Khadija Shaw forced extra time and then completed the turnaround, sending City into the final against Brighton.
Chelsea punish slow Man City start
Chelsea made the stronger start at Stamford Bridge, and Man City were punished before they could properly settle into the semi-final.
Cuthbert opened the scoring in the eighth minute after Chelsea worked the ball into a dangerous area. The Chelsea captain’s effort took a deflection before finding the back of the net.
Then the Blues thought they had doubled their lead soon after through Sam Kerr. However, the official later judged that the ball had gone out of play before the cross came in.
City grew into the first half, though, after Chelsea’s early pressure. Nevertheless, the home side still carried the greater threat as they took 10 shots with three on target in the first 45.
Shaw briefly left the pitch while appearing uncomfortable, although she did return before half-time. At the end of the first 45, Chelsea had landed a decisive early blow by forcing City to chase in the second half.
Half-time: Chelsea 1-0 Manchester City
Man City complete stunning late comeback
Chelsea looked to have taken control of the tie after the break, with Kerr finally getting her goal in the 59th minute.
The Australian forward was in the right place after Khiara Keating failed to deal with Lauren James’ cross. City were struggling to create clear chances for long spells, although Jeglertz tried to change the game by introducing Iman Beney and Aoba Fujino midway through the second half.
Chelsea then had another Kerr goal ruled offside. The game changed late when Fowler replaced Leila Ouahabi, with the Sky Blues sacrificing a defender for an attacker.
The decision paid off almost immediately as Fowler pulled one back in the 86th minute. She fired beyond Hannah Hampton to give City late hope.
That hope turned into belief in stoppage time when Shaw controlled Beney’s headed pass, turned inside the box and finished to make it 2-2.
Full-time: Chelsea 2-2 Manchester City
Shaw strikes again in extra time
The first half of extra time began in a more broken rhythm after the drama of normal time. Both sides were trying to recover from a chaotic finish.
Chelsea had an early penalty appeal waved away after Aggie Beever-Jones went down under pressure from Keating. Regardless, Fujino was later booked after a foul on Lucy Bronze.
The decisive moment arrived in the 103rd minute. Lauren Hemp delivered from the left and Shaw rose highest to head City into a 3-2 lead.
ET Half-time: Chelsea 2-3 Manchester City
Man City survive late Chelsea pressure
Chelsea pushed hard in the second half of extra time as they tried to rescue the tie. City were forced to defend deeper after Shaw’s header had put them ahead.
The Blues appealed for a penalty again after Beever-Jones went down under pressure from Hemp. However, to Chelsea’s dismay, the referee waved away the claim.
The visitors also survived another huge moment late on when Beever-Jones saw an effort blocked before Keating produced a magnificent save.
The final stages were a test of endurance as cramps hit both sides. Alex Greenwood and Shaw were eventually replaced after looking exhausted.
Chelsea continued their search for one final chance, but City managed the closing moments to complete a dramatic comeback and book their place in the Women’s FA Cup final.
ET Full-time: Chelsea 2-3 Manchester City
Man City set up Brighton final at Wembley
The dramatic win sends Man City into the Women’s FA Cup final. The Citizens will now face Brighton at Wembley on Sunday, 31st May.
The Seagulls booked their place earlier in the day after coming from 2-0 down to beat Liverpool 3-2. Nadine Noordam scored the stoppage time winner to send the South Coast side into the final.
City will now have the chance to turn an already impressive season into a domestic double. Brighton, on the other hand, will be playing in their first Women’s FA Cup final. The game is scheduled for 15:00 UK time.
