Thank you for following along with me for this thrilling FA Cup semi-final which has seen Manchester United through to their first major trophy final. It was Rachel Williams who scored the winner after a goal-frenzy in the second half after Brighton led 1-0 at half-time. Chelsea and Aston Villa will battle it out for a place beside United tomorrow. If you want to catch up with the action have a read of Will Unwin’s report below. Have a good evening!
Brighton manager Melissa Phillips also spoke to the BBC, saying: “We came here to make a good account of ourselves. This is day one effectively. The performances have always been there, it was the fight, the attitude. They were brilliant. It was just needing a bit of identity and belief. The girls executed it brilliantly.”
Manchester United manager Marc Skinner told the BBC: “We made an uncharacteristic mistake for one of our goals. In the end, the result matters and we’re at Wembley. The rhythm of the game wasn’t there [in the first half]. We were walking for throw-ins and let Brighton get set up in a block. That’s not us. It’s those little characteristics that you have to look out for. I asked them to be responsible [at half-time] and they were responsible in the second half.”
Player of the Match Rachel Williams has spoken to the BBC, saying: “I saw the keeper coming and thought, just round her. Keep it down, you don’t need any power. Emotions and tensions are high – just slot it home. To get that today and send us through feels amazing, but credit to everyone here. The season we’re having, to now have an FA Cup final is the reward we deserve. I love the FA Cup. I sat it out last year but wanted to be there next year. I’m just very proud of myself.”
Rachel Williams was subbed on around 80 minutes, scored the winner and bagged Player of the Match. Not a bad evening for her.
Manchester United will play the winner of the second semi-final in the FA Cup final in May. Holders Chelsea take on Aston Villa tomorrow afternoon to decide who will play under the famous arch.
I would argue Danielle Carter’s goal was the best score of the match. The composure to finish this to keep Brighton in it was superb:
DANIELLE CARTER! 🥶
— Vitality Women's FA Cup (@VitalityWFACup) April 15, 2023
Ice cold composure to finish for @BHAFCWomen 🧊#WomensFACup @DanielleCarter pic.twitter.com/nB3LmGFwSB
The headlines will be about Manchester United, and rightfully so, but Brighton but up a real fight today. If they take that form into the WSL I can see them staying up.
Here is the winner for Manchester United!
WHAT a save to keep the score at 0-0! 👏#BBCFootball #MUNBHA #WomensFACup pic.twitter.com/XwdtxAYB9F
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) April 15, 2023
Full-time: Manchester United 3-2 Brighton
United are through to their first major trophy final! What an epic semi-final. Brighton had the 1-0 lead at half-time but both clubs kept finding a way to score. Rachel Williams was subbed and she found the winner to get United to Wembley! But Brighton can take a strong performance from this into the WSL where they look like they will be able to fight to stay in the top flight.
90 + 4 min: 4,096 fans are at the stadium to watch this thriller! What a match it has been and it is Rachel Williams has been named Player of the Match.
90 + 3 min: United make another change with Galton off for Mannion. Brighton have possession but Zigiotti is dispossessed by Ladd. The ball comes down the pitch and Williams kicks away.
90 + 1 min: There will be five added minutes
90 min: Siobhan Chamberlain has made a great point on commentary, Robinson was down injured when Brighton had the ball, why didn’t Brighton kick it out and wind down the time? Robinson is now off for Visalli.
GOAL! Manchester United 3-2 Brighton (R Williams, 89')
Williams is the hero! Robinson is down injured but play is continuing, Brighton are with possession but United win it back. Williams takes a few touches and she beats Williams. Surely that is the game now.
88 min: Zelem takes the kick but Green gets it away. A pass comes in for Carter but it goes out of play. United get it into the box and there are several hits in the box, chants of handball but none are given. Reminder VAR is not in operation so it comes down to the officials.
86 min: Pattinson is okay to continue and Morse puts the ball out for a throw in. Batlle wins a free kick from Robinson in a great position, Leigh Sports Village are calling for her to be off with a yellow card already given to her this evening. She gets a final warning from the referee.
84 min: Williams this time with the save from a Ladd shot. Pattinson is on the ground after a tackle on Thomas in the build-up to that. There’s a break in play while she receives treatment.
82 min: Blundell goes down from a foul by Green, it’s a free kick but Earps takes it and she rifles it up the pitch. Brighton come again though, Green comes and Earps makes a great save. The offside flag came regardless but wow.
80 min: R Williams scored against Brighton two weeks ago, will she be the hero again? Pattinson is taking a free kick after a foul, it’s taken and United doesn’t clear it quickly but they eventually get it away.
78 min: Carter was a sub and what a sub she was! She has won the FA Cup multiple times with former club Arsenal and she keeps her current club in this! United make a change with Russo off for R Williams.
77 min: It happened so fast I couldn’t even update you on the free kick, Zelem took the free kick and Turner’s header was saved. Brighton counter and Carter does so well to beat Turner on a long ball. She keeps running and rifled it past Earps. Fantastic goal.
GOAL! Manchester United 2-2 Brighton (Carter, 75')
WHAT A GOAL!
74 min: Just as I was saying Brighton had done well to remain in this, Russo undoes Brighton. The Seagulls need to throw everything at this now but instead Pattinson gives away a free kick.
GOAL! Manchester United 2-1 Brighton (Russo (71')
Brighton lose the ball and United run it through the team. Russo is in a great position and strikes it sweetly to beat Williams.
Updated
70 min: Russo gets a good ball into the box but Toone slips, if she hadn’t that would have been a good opportunity. Williams collects from a poor touch from Thomas.
68 min: Everyone is good to continue and the ball comes into the box but United do really well to defend. The hosts try to counter but it doesn’t connect. This game really is in the balance, I thought United would have ran riot but Brighton have done well to stay in this. Thomas gives away possession with a foul.
66 min: No there won’t be. Zelem plays it short, Batlle belts it into the box but Williams collects. Brighton call for a free kick and it is given from a foul from Le Tissier, she is handed a yellow card. This is a good position for Brighton, a slight break in play as players receive some treatment.
64 min: Brighton attempt to unlock an attack but a pass has too much on it and it’s out. United play it out of the back and Lee concedes a free kick for a foul on Zelem. The hosts gets in a good position and Thomas wins a corner! Will there be another goal here?
62 min: Here come United but Kullberg does well to prevent a chance. United make their first change with Garcia off for Thomas.
60 min: A triple change for Brighton. Terland is off for Carter, Bance is off for Connolly and Sarri is off for Green. Brighton have a corner after that Earps save, they get it in but United clear well.
58 min: Ladd gives away a free kick for clipping a Brighton player, she gets a yellow card for her efforts. They rifle it up but United deal with it well. Earps makes a HUGE SAVE as Zigiotti whips it in.
56 min: Batlle tries to thread the ball through but Brighton defend well, I think they have got the composure back after the shock equaliser. Garcia wins a throw in a good position and Turner eventually get it into the box. Brighton don’t clear it and there are calls for handball but it isn’t given. Brighton eventually get it away, wow United are dominant at the moment.
54 min: Garcia went down but it looks slightly like a dive there but United win a free kick. Le Tissier takes it, it comes to Russo who plays it back to Le Tissier. The free kick not working as they would want it. Brighton manage to clear it, just.
52 min: Russo pressures Brighton to go back to Williams but the team get it to the edge of the box. Pattinson is over the ball but instead of crossing in she takes a shot which is way over the bar.
50 min: United are alive, the cross comes into Toone who gets a shot away. It goes just over the bar! That was so close to another goal in as many minutes. Brighton need to settle or this could be a blood bath.
48 min: Sarri receives a yellow now for a foul. This feels as though United could run riot now. Brighton need to keep their heads.
48 min: Batlle makes a great run down the wing and Galton takes a one touch finish, absolutely lethal. Williams looks disappointed with that, she couldn’t have done much about that!
GOAL! Manchester United 1-1 Brighton (Galton, 46')
My word! Less than a minute and there’s the equalsier.
Updated
Back underway! Manchester United 0-1 Brighton
Well not the scoreline anyone would have predicted but Brighton are in the driving seat! Can Brighton hold on or will United win this? We will know over the next 45. The commentators are calling it the shock of the season but I would argue Chelsea losing to Liverpool was, thoughts?
A reminder the other FA Cup semi-final will be tomorrow at 2.15 between holder Chelsea and Aston Villa. Before the international break the two clubs competed against each other in the WSL, Chelsea won that 3-0.
A game with the keepers at the heart of the story. Here is a great save from Brighton’s Williams:
WHAT a save to keep the score at 0-0! 👏#BBCFootball #MUNBHA #WomensFACup pic.twitter.com/XwdtxAYB9F
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) April 15, 2023
Here’s the goal that splits the sides so far:
Brighton have a shock lead! 😮
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) April 15, 2023
Mary Earps won't want to see this again.. #BBCFootball #MUNBHA #WomensFACup pic.twitter.com/l2hZ3BxDZX
Half-time: Manchester United 0-1 Brighton
Talk about a new manager bounce! Brighton have been strong throughout the match but no one could have predicted this. The bottom side in the WSL have control of this semi-final against WSL leaders United. It was all thanks to Sarri’s cross which forced Earps to punch, the deflection from the intervention seeing it go into the net.
45 + 1 min: There will be one minute added.
45 min: Blundell does well to win the ball from Robinson, Toone and Russo connect in the box to create a chance. Garcia rifles it in but Williams collects.
44 min: Some great defending from Brighton sees them repel two chances from United, they get it back in and Ladd takes a shot but Williams collects.
43 min: Morse gets the ball forward but Turner again repels the chance, the defender having a good game. I think I’m still in shock from that goal, Brighton scoring isn’t a surprise with the team playing well this match but the nature of the score has thrown me. United really rallying now to try and get themselves to the final.
41 min: Morse concedes a corner and Zelem takes it short, they get it into the box and Williams punches it. The offside whistle goes before Russo fires a shot over. Garcia makes a great run into the box and she takes a shot but Williams collects. I believe the goal has gone down as a Mary Earps own goal. I’ll get a video of it ASAP.
39 min: United almost immediately equalise, this game has come to life! Russo turns and takes a shot, Williams looks as though she got a hand to it but it is out for a goal kick.
37 min: Oh my word! I’m unsure if that will go down as an Earps own goal? Sarri looks as though she has crossed that rather than take a shot, she came out to punch away but it deflects in goal! Wow, we have a shock on our hands.
GOAL! Manchester United 0-1 Brighton (Earps OG, 36')
Galton almost gets on the end of a Garcia cross but it’s wide, the referee judges it as a goal kick and Brighton can breathe again! Brighton get in a great position, Sarri crosses. Earps punches it but it goes in!
Updated
35 min: Batlle gets in a great position in the box but she can’t pass to Russo as she was in an offside position. The Spanish player takes a shot but Williams collects easily.
33 min: It comes into the box and pinballs around, it falls to Garcia whose shot it way wide.
33 min: A great break from Brighton sees Robinson pop it into the box but United clear. It comes to Pattinson but her cross is cleared by Turner. Brighton try to come away but Zelem does well to close it down. United have a free kick following a foul and Zelem takes it.
31 min: Sarri does well to pass to Pattinson, she passes back to Sarri who believes she should have a free kick after a foul but it is play on. United are playing from deep but work it to Garcia, her pass ends up at a Brighton foot.
29 min: Zelem, the corner maestro, takes it and Lee heads away. Batlle gets a shot but it is wide.
29 min: Zelem takes it short, Batlle gets it into the box but Sarri clears it. United have the momentum here and they can smell blood as Garcia gets it into the box. Galton gets a touch and Williams saves it once again, pushing it behind for another corner!
27 min: United are back to the halfway line now. I think this becomes a question of whether Brighton can keep their shape and press throughout the 90. This will be a real battle if they can. HUGE SAVE by Williams, Russo gets a shot while falling to the floor and Williams tips it over for a corner.
Updated
26 min: Zelem takes the kick but it goes over Turner’s head. It comes back out for United to have another chance but they can’t get it into the box, they win a throw in. There are discussions about if the Garcia challenge from Pattinson should have been a penalty, I think it could have been given but the referee just went for a corner.
24 min: Turner does well again to clear a ball from Brighton in the box, the defender is strong so far in this semi-final. A fabulous ball from Toone almost unlocks Garcia’s attack but Brighton swarm the player. She does win a corner though.
22 min: Bance’s pass is intercepted and United work it into the box. Garcia’s shot is blocked, it comes back but the offside flag is up.
20 min: Possession is exchanging hands here, most of the football being played in the midfield. It’s a good battle from Brighton, they aren’t just playing defensively. They are going forward and seeing how they can test United. Ladd places a good ball for Batlle, she crosses in and Garcia can’t get a shot away. Brighton break for the counter but Batlle clears!
18 min: Brighton win it back and look to create another chance. They win a throw in, Brighton do need to convert these opportunities while they have them. Turner does well to clear the ball from the box and the hosts have possession.
16 min: Brighton give it to Ladd from the free kick, she passes to Garcia but the chance is closed down in the box. United are with the ball once more but they are taking time on their possession.
14 min: Zelem plays an awful ball and Robinson intercepts it! She passes into the box but Le Tissier sends it over the bar for a Brighton corner. It comes in and Earps punches away, Bance does well to keep it alive but United defend well. They look to counter now but they’ve slowed down the ball. Galton then concedes a free kick with a foul on Lee.
Updated
12 min: Another long ball comes from United but it has too much on it for Garcia, they must know Brighton are caught out at the back as they continue to play that pass. United work the ball well through the team to get it into the box once more, it comes to Toone but her shot sails over the bar. Best chance of the game so far.
10 min: United are forced back almost to Earps with Brighton’s press doing just enough to repel the hosts. It’s been a slow start to the game with good play from both starts but nothing to really test either keeper yet.
8 min: Le Tissier puts in another deadly long ball but Morse does well to cut it out. Brighton try it play it out but it’s out of play and United will have another platform to attack.
6 min: Brighton have a chance to attack now and then run it through the team. Robinson pops the ball into the box and if there was a Brighton player waiting in the wings there would have been an opener! Earps was focused on Robinson and no United defender was covering the left of goal. Brighton showing their threat.
4 min: Williams opts to play it out the back, it is almost closed down but Brighton deal with it. Lee eventually puts it out of play with United back in possession. A great ball up from Le Tissier sees United into the box but great defending sees Brighton close down Galton.
2 min: Garcia creating a chance in the midfield, passing to Toone but they are forced backwards from Brighton’s high press. An nice easing into this semi.
Kick-off! Manchester United 0-0 Brighton
Here we go then! Who will make it to Wembley? Just 90 minutes between one team and that famous arch.
Players will be out shortly! I’m hoping Brighton will be able to play a closer match than the 4-0 loss they suffered before the international break.
Brighton manager Melissa Phillips told the BBC: “I think it’s about bringing the group together and learning where we are at and where we need to go.”
And United boss Marc Skinner added: “Lucia Garcia [United’s only change in the starting line-up] has been excellent and has really deserved the start. She has been impacting brilliantly.”
Neither Manchester United or Brighton have reached a Women’s FA Cup final, history is on the line and we will have a battle on our hands today. But it is an uphill climb for Brighton, they have only won one game in 10 against United.
Our very own Will Unwin is at Leigh Sports Village for this semi-final and he’s sent this in from the stadium: “There is sunshine on Leigh. A crowd is growing inside the ground and there is, interestingly, some ‘Glazers out’ chants coming from the home fans. They are expecting an attendance in the region of 4,200 for this match. The rugby league lines have been painted over and there are flags flying around the ground. The home fans are expecting a nice easy route to the final but Brighton, under new manager Mel Phillips, will be sure to work them harder than in their encounter prior to the international break.”
United are having their best season to date, they are competing in the FA Cup semis and are top of the WSL table. Brighton have been struggling in the league but are in the running for silverware in this competition. Whose run will continue?
The players are at Leigh Sports Village, raring to go for this semi-final! Can United live up to the favourites tag? Or can Brighton blow them away?
Reporting for semi-final duty 🫡#MUWomen || #WomensFACup pic.twitter.com/t4YAuQmV3J
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) April 15, 2023
Brighton’s new manager Melissa Phillips added: “There’s no pressure at all, [it’s a] challenge against one of best teams in the league. The priority is the league, but it’s not just about staying up. It has been difficult on staff because of the transition over the last year. We want to come in and provide stability.”
Marc Skinner has said he enjoys being the team to beat in the semi-final, saying: “We should be [enjoying being the team to beat] and I think we are. We are showing that in our performances. The players agree that we absorb and enjoy the amount of pressure that comes with being a team like us and what we want to achieve. If we weren’t trying to be successful, there would be no pressure.”
In the last 10 years only Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal have won the Women’s FA Cup but this season the narrative could change with only Chelsea left in the competition. Suzy Wrack has written on the topic, have a read of it:
How do you see this one shaking out? United are the heavy favourites but Brighton could cause an upset. Get in touch with me via Twitter or email!
Team news is in!
🚨 OUR SEMI-FINAL XI IS IN! 🚨#MUWomen || #WomensFACup
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) April 15, 2023
TEAM NEWS! 📷 Here's our starting XI to face @ManUtdWomen this afternoon in the #WomensFACup. 📲 https://t.co/1JRqX8h1KR // #BHAFC 💙 pic.twitter.com/1MbcCFnEOW
— Brighton & Hove Albion Women (@BHAFCWomen) April 15, 2023
Preamble
Hello and welcome to Manchester United’s FA Cup semi-final against Brighton! If United win the game, they will be heading to Wembley for the first time since reforming in 2018 in the women’s club history.
Recent history between United and Brighton tells us that Marc Skinner’s side should blast their opposition away. On 1 April the two clubs played one another in the Women’s Super League with United coming away with a 4-0 win. But United won’t be under-estimating their opposition.
Brighton have had a tough season but their run in the FA Cup has been an impressive one and so they could cause an upset. They will have to beat United at home at Leigh Sports Village for a spot in the final, where they will face Chelsea or ASton Villa. The semi-final between the Blues and Villa will take place on Sunday.
The team news is in so stay tuned ahead of kick-off at 5.15pm BST.
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