Chelsea reached the quarter-finals of the Women’s FA Cup with victory over Arsenal at Kingsmeadow. Goals from Sophie Ingle and Sam Kerr were the difference as Emma Hayes’s side kept alive their ambitions of winning the trophy for the third successive time.
Hayes praised her side’s “mentality of champions” as they came through a situation that was “challenging” for both teams with the international break ending only three days earlier. “Well done to the players, because that is a bit of a slog,” she said. “That dictates the type of game it’s going to be. In the first half, it was a game of transitions … you have to set up right and I didn’t think we did in the first half. We adapted in the second.”
Nevertheless, both managers were able to name their strongest available lineups. Despite injury to Fran Kirby, Hayes’s attack was full of potential. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s Jonas Eidevall reverted to a back four and brought in the experience of Katie McCabe to his front three.
It was a familiar story for Arsenal, who edged possession and chances created but could not make them count. They could have been ahead within minutes but for the brilliance of Ann-Katrin Berger, who tipped over a Frida Maanum effort. Stina Blackstenius also had chances but the Arsenal striker’s confidence levels are clearly low, evidenced by some wayward finishing.
Holders Chelsea will face Reading away in the quarter-finals of the Women’s FA Cup on 19 March. Emma Hayes’ side are targeting a third successive title and fifth overall. Manchester City, three times former winners, will face Aston Villa in the last eight.
Lewes, the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, host the WSL leaders, Manchester United, in their first quarter-final appearance. Another second-tier side, Birmingham City, face Brighton at home.
Reading v Chelsea
Aston Villa v Manchester City
Lewes v Manchester United
Birmingham City v Brighton
Ties to be played on Sunday 19 March
Chelsea grew into a transitional first half. Their opener came via Lauren James down the right. Unchallenged, she meandered her way to the box before setting up Ingle to fire past Manuela Zinsberger. It was all too easy as they picked Arsenal’s defence apart.
Within 10 minutes of the restart, the hosts showed their quality again. Countering at pace, Jelena Cankovic sent Kerr through and there was only ever going to be one outcome. “Even with jet lag, she’s better than you,” sang the home fans as the Australia striker scored her 81st goal on her 100th appearance in a Blues shirt.
Arsenal looked for a way back but the bite to their attack was lacking and Chelsea looked comfortable. These two will meet again in the League Cup final next week when Arsenal will try to find some impetus to overcome Hayes’s “mentality monsters”.
