FA Cup: Man United stun Chelsea to join Spurs in final | OneFootball

Manchester United issued a huge upset to Emma Hayes during her final season with Chelsea as they knocked the reigning champions out of the FA Cup.

Marc Skinner’s side edged out a 2-1 win over the Blues and will meet Tottenham Hotspur in the final next month. For the first time in 12 years, a club that isn’t Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester City will lift the FA Cup.

Starting XIs

Manchester United

Earps; Le Tissier, Mannion, Blundell, Toone, Zelem, Galton, Naalsund, Garcia, Turner, Williams

Chelsea

Hampton; Carter, Leupolz, James, Reiten, Perisset, Kaneryd, Charles, Cuthbert, Buchanan, Ramirez

How it went

Lucía García put Man United ahead with less than a minute on the clock. The Spanish international capitalised on an assist from Leah Galton to give the Reds a crucial early lead. A second for the home side followed 20 minutes later as Rachel Williams found the back of the net. The No.28 headed home Ella Toone’s cross to give her side a comfortable lead.

In the final moments of the first half, Lauren James pulled a goal back for Chelsea reducing the deficit to a single goal. The England star converted Niamh Charles’ assist to offer Hayes’ side a route back into the tie.

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The second half brought plenty of chances for both sides, with the Blues enjoying significantly more of the ball. Despite registering almost 30 shots, Chelsea could not find a second goal to force the game to extra time.

The win marks United’s first victory over Chelsea, as the Red Devils reach their second consecutive FA Cup final.

Up next

Manchester United will host FA Cup final rivals Tottenham in the Women’s Super League before away days to Leicester and Liverpool. Skinner’s side will then face Spurs at Wembley as they look to lift the FA Cup for the first time in their history. The Reds will round out the season with a home clash against Hayes’ Chelsea in her final game in charge of the Blues.

Chelsea will welcome Aston Villa to Kingsmeadow ahead of back-to-back meetings with Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final. The Blues will face Liverpool, Bristol City and Tottenham before finishing their domestic campaign with an away day to Man United in their bid to lift their fifth consecutive league title.

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