A 99th-minute winner from Naomi Girma sent holders Chelsea through to the Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals as they saw off a stubborn Manchester United 2-1. In a competitive encounter at Kingsmeadow, Sonia Bompastor’s side needed extra time to keep their Cup defence alive after Simi Awujo had cancelled out Sam Kerr’s opener in normal time.
“I am really pleased because this competition is really special for us,” Bompastor said. “We want to go as far as possible. It was a tight game because Man United are a great team. I am really pleased with the result and the performance.”
Chelsea have endured an uncharacteristic wobble in recent weeks that all but ended their hopes of defending their league title. Securing their third win in a row will have been the perfect tonic to boost morale before a month when they will play the same opponents in the League Cup final before facing Arsenal in a Champions League quarter-final.
The Blues looked refreshed after having a week to prepare for this rerun of the final from last season. Bompastor made one change to the side that had beaten Liverpool in the Women’s Super League the previous Sunday, with Lucy Bronze coming in for Sandy Baltimore.
United, in comparison, were involved in European football in midweek trying to get through a playoff with Atlético Madrid. Spirits would have been high despite the quick turnaround after they had secured progression to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time but the repercussions of that fixture were evident.
They had plenty to thank their goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce for in the first half as she almost single‑handedly kept the score level. After early chances from Keira Walsh and Erin Cuthbert were blocked, the United keeper produced a clawing save to keep out Alyssa Thompson’s looping effort. She then had to be alert to an Ellie Carpenter cross that was dipping under the bar before getting down quickly to divert a Cuthbert shot behind.
As the half drew to a close, Chelsea kept their foot on the gas but were denied by a brilliant recovery tackle from Maya Le Tissier. As Lauren James broke through, the United captain stretched every sinew to turn the shot over the bar.
United were more adventurous after the break as they played their way into the game. Melvine Malard saw her goalbound header blocked off the line before Jess Park unleashed a trademark 20‑yard shot that beat Hannah Hampton but not the woodwork.
Lauren Hemp scored a first-half double to fire Manchester City, the Women's Super League leaders, into the last eight of the Women's FA Cup with a 4-0 win against Sheffield United.
The 25-year-old scored two quickfire goals in 11 first-half minutes before Aoba Fujino and Laura Coombs rounded off a comprehensive performance.
Arsenal eased through with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bristol City. Kim Little gave the hosts a first-half lead before strikes from Victoria Pelova and Frida Maanum helped ensure safe passage through to the next round. The victory was marred by an injury to Olivia Smith, however, who left the field on a stretcher in the second half after a clash of heads.
Elsewhere, Liverpool advanced thanks to a 2-1 win against their derby rivals Everton. Mia Enderby put the hosts ahead in the 34th minute, although that was her last contribution of the afternoon as she was taken off on a stretcher after colliding with the Everton goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan in the process of scoring.
Beata Olsson doubled the Reds' advantage on the stroke of half-time and they held on for victory despite Jennifer Falk's 72nd-minute own goal.
First-half goals from Fran Kirby and Kiko Seike earned Brighton a 2-1 triumph over West Ham, while Lucy Fitzgerald's second-half penalty gave Charlton a 1-0 victory over Oxford United. PA Media
The breakthrough came in the 78th minute when Kerr, on as a substitute just moments earlier, sent a low shot into the bottom corner. The Blues’ joy was short-lived, as the visitors fought back when Awujo reacted in the box to bundle the equaliser home.
The winner came in the first half of extra time: Girma reacted quickest when Veerle Buurman’s header cannoned off a post. United were convinced they should have had a late penalty for handball but their protests were waved away.
Chelsea held on to draw first blood in the first of two cup encounters between these teams, with this victory a tasty prelude for the Women’s League Cup final to come after the international break.
