Women’s FA Cup final LIVE: Chelsea vs Manchester United result and reaction as Sam Kerr scores winning goal
Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United: Kerr’s goal wins Chelsea a third FA Cup in a row in front of a world-record crowd for a women’s club match
Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 to claim a third straight Women’s FA Cup title in front of a record crowd at Wembley, as Sam Kerr’s strike again proved to be the difference.
Kerr, who also scored the winner in last season’s final, turned in substitute Pernille Harder’s fine cross in the 68th minute to decide a tight game in front of 77,390 fans - the highest attendance for a domestic women’s match in England. “We didn’t have a great game today, but it’s the sign of a great team that we pushed on,” Kerr said.
United dominated possession and created numerous opportunities in the first half, but could not find a breakthrough as Chelsea struggled to match the WSL leaders. Leah Galton had a goal ruled out in the first minute for offside, while both goalkeepers, Ann-Katrin Berger and Mary Earps, made excellent saves as the teams went into the break level.
United were quickly made to rue their wasted chances after the restart, as Chelsea grew into the game and broke the deadlock through Kerr. The goal took the wind out of United’s sails and Chelsea were able to contain them as they held on to lift the trophy for a fifth time.
Relive the action from Wembley as Chelsea beat Manchester United to win the FA Cup.
Women’s FA Cup final 2023: Chelsea vs Manchester United
Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United - 50 mins
United on top once again in the early going of the second half - a couple of shots on target b ut comfortable gathered by Berger.
Women’s FA Cup final 2023: Chelsea vs Manchester United
Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United - 46 mins
Back underway at Wembley. 45 minutes to go and then extra-time and potentially penalties if they’re needed.
Women’s FA Cup final 2023: Emma Hayes on record crowd at Wembley
Emma Hayes believes a Wembley sell-out for today’s Women’s FA Cup final is “the new norm” for women’s football.
Defending champions Chelsea are taking on Manchester United in front of 90,000 fans at the home of football - a record for a women’s domestic club match.
This season has seen many milestones hit in terms of attendances in the Women’s Super League, with teams capitalising on the interest created by England’s Euro 2021 victory last summer.
Chelsea boss Hayes is delighted to see her hopes coming to fruition, saying at a pre-match press conference: “Having a sold-out Wembley is just fantastic for the game. As a women’s football fan, it means everything to me. I’ve sat here for over 10 years pushing, probing and championing for this because I knew that this day wasn’t too far away.
“With the success of the Lionesses, I knew that there would be no excuses now and I think this is the new norm.
“I was disappointed the crowd wasn’t bigger last year. Then obviously the Lionesses winning (the Euros), I always knew there should be no excuse this year from anyone — clubs, all the stakeholders.
“This is the new norm so hopefully we are talking (next) about putting semi-finals at neutral venues next year and making that an even bigger event because that is the next evolution of the game.”
Women’s FA Cup final 2023: Chelsea vs Manchester United
HALF-TIME! Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United
Man United have been by far the better side but it’s goalless at the break at Wembley. They scored through Leah Galton after 20 seconds but it was ruled out for offside.
Millie Turner had a couple of other chances and Galton flicked over the top from close-range, while at the other end, Lauren James’s header was tipped on to the post by Mary Earps.
All to play for after the break
Women’s FA Cup final 2023: Chelsea vs Manchester United
Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United - 45 min
A free-kick right on the edge of the box for Man Utd as Parris is brought down on the right-hand edge of the area. It’s millimetres away from being a penalty.
Chelsea survive the danger as Zelem’s cross finds Turner at the bakc post but her header is well over the top.
Women’s FA Cup final 2023: Chelsea vs Manchester United
SAVE! Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United - 40 min
That’s the closest Chelsea have come. Lauren James’s header deflects off Millie Turner and sends Mary Earps scrambling across her goal.
The England No. 1 moves her feet well and a full-length dive claws the ball out of the corner, on to the post and away. A crucial save
Women’s FA Cup final 2023: Chelsea vs Manchester United
CHANCE! Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United - 36 min
Another opportunity for United. Toone gets room on the right and her cross takes a slight deflection but Galton gets in front of her defender in the six-yard box to shoot goalwards.
Her flick is high and wide however. Opportunity missed for the Manchester side.
Women’s FA Cup final 2023: Chelsea vs Manchester United
CHANCE! Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United - 32 mins
A great reaction save from Ann-Katrin Berger in the Chelsea goal!
United pump a free-kick high into the box, the second-phase ball falls for Millie Turner, who flicks the ball goalwards, it takes a deflection off a defender and wrong-foots Berger but she manages to change direction to claw the ball away. Superb reflexes
Women’s FA Cup final 2023: Chelsea vs Manchester United
Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United - 30 mins
Blundell has dealt well with James down Chelsea’s right so far. The United left-back has kept the dangerous winger quiet. Meanwhile, at the other end, Alessia Russo is dropping deeper to try and influence the game. There’s been a bit of a lull in the last five minutes.
Women’s FA Cup final 2023: Chelsea vs Manchester United
A compelling opening 27 minutes at Wembley but still awaiting the first goal
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