Chelsea vs Man City LIVE: Women’s FA Cup result and final score as Sam Kerr hits extra-time winner
The Australian’s strike deflected in off Alex Greenwood as Emma Hayes landed her 11th piece of silverware with the Blues
Chelsea retained the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday with a 3-2 extra-time win over Manchester City, completing the double this season after winning the Super League title last week.
City had twice equalised, first through Lauren Hemp after Sam Kerr’s opener and, near the end, Hayley Raso cancelled out Erin Cuthbert’s screamer. However, Kerr struck early in the first period of extra time to give Chelsea their fourth FA Cup.
It is the 11th major trophy for Chelsea under Emma Hayes since the Briton took charge in 2012.
The holders opened the scoring around the half-hour mark at a wet Wembley with a header from Australian striker Kerr after a deep cross from Millie Bright. But, they were pegged back by a beautiful finish from City forward Hemp shortly before halftime.
Chelsea midfielder Cuthbert thundered a long-range effort in off the crossbar around the hour mark to retake the lead and that looked like it would be enough to win as the clock ticked down.
However, Gareth Taylor’s City never gave in and in the 89th minute a long cross-field ball from City’s Alex Greenwood was taken down well by Australian Raso who ran at goal and fired in the equaliser to take the game to extra time.
City pressed for a winner but were undone nine minutes into the first period when Kerr picked up the ball in her own half and ran at goal before seeing her shot take a big deflection off Greenwood and trickle in.
Chelsea then kept City at bay to win a second successive FA Cup in front of 49,094 fans, a record attendance for the final beating the previous mark of 45,423 set in 2018.
“I don’t score goals like that but it’s an amazing honour, Cuthbert told the BBC.
“I thought it was going to be a winning goal and it wasn’t, Sam’s was just as important, it took a deflection and it doesn’t matter what the goal looks like as long as it goes in. If they go in like that at Wembley I’m happy.
“So many times this year we have been faced with adversity, COVID, injuries, we’ve had to use the squad. We used the squad today and I’m proud to end it on such a high.”
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
17 mins: Chelsea are definitely growing into this match now. They have dictated the tempo for the last five minutes or so without really troubling the Manchester City back line.
City have it now though as Shaw tries to drive at Carter but the Chelsea defender does well to get her body in front and usher the ball out for a goal kick.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
14 mins: Chelsea win themselves a free-kick on the halfway line and are beginning to find their feet in this match as they enjoy a lengthy spell of possession.
Stanway chops down Harder and it’s another foul by City. A bitey, physical game so far.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
12 mins: Cuthbert has gone down here. She was caught by Demi Stokes in the middle of the pitch and appears to be in some distress. No free-kick was given for the tackle, something Emma Hayes is baffled by.
Cuthbert is back to her feet now. Looks like she will be able to carry on.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
10 mins: Kelly drives forward for City as Taylor’s side assume control of the game once more. Shaw clips a ball into the box but Eriksson clears away.
Chelsea then settle down with another period of possession. City clearly the more dangerous in these early stages though.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
8 mins: Chelsea begin to settle down as they knock the ball around in a bid to get a feel for the game. That was some first five minutes from Manchester City.
Millie Bright knocks Lauren Hemp to the ground inside the City half and the Sky Blues have themselves a free-kick.
The match has just settled down a little now after that frenetic opening.
Reiten sends a dangerous ball into the box which Kennedy gets to in front of Kerr. Better from Chelsea.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
5 mins: Reiten hooks a ball towards Harder but the ball had just gone out of play before she made the pass.
Bronze and Reiten battle for the ball on the near touchline and it is the England international who gets the better of her.
Oh another chance for City! Gareth Taylor’s side have started this match superbly. Hemp drives into the area and finds Kelly but her shot is superbly blocked by Bright! It then falls to Hemp but her shot is also blocked behind for a corner to City.
Millie Bright blocked both shots!
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
3 mins: CHANCE! Oh the first opportunity of the match falls the way of Manchester City. Kelly’s effort deflects perfectly into the path of Weir but she blazes over from eight yards out!
Really good opportunity, that.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
2 mins: Chelsea straight onto the front foot as Harder looks to turn and get a shot off on the edge of the Manchester City penalty area but she is snuffed out.
Chelsea clearly lining up in a 3-4-3. Manchester City beginning with a 4-3-3 set-up.
Chelsea 0-0 Man City
1 min: WE ARE UNDERWAY!
Chelsea get the Vitality Women’s FA Cup going in front of a superb atmosphere at Wembley Stadium.
Chelsea vs Man City
Here we go then! The players have made their way out onto the pitch in front of a record Women’s FA Cup final crowd.
What an occasion.
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