Chelsea manager Emma Hayes dedicated Chelsea Women's FA Cup triumph over Manchester United to the club's 'suffering' fans following a volatile year of underwhelming performances from the men's side and a disjointed change in ownership.
Sam Kerr's second-half goal proved decisive as the Blues lifted the FA Cup trophy for the fifth time in their history as they edged past WSL title-rivals Manchester United in front of a record British women's football domestic crowd.
A lethargic start to the match very nearly cost the defending champions as Leah Galton looked to have put Marc Skinner's side ahead inside the opening 20 seconds, only for Ella Toone to be ruled offside in the build-up. A difficult first-half followed in which Chelsea looked destined for another lost piece of silverware. But prescient second-half substitutions in Pernille Harder and Sophie Ingle shifted the dynamic of the match back into Chelsea's favour, and it was Harder who delivered her sixth goal involvement in her last three matches as she teed up Kerr for the game-winner in the 68th minute.
