Sam Kerr was Chelsea’s matchwinner yet again as they wrapped up a third successive Women’s FA Cup title with victory over Manchester United in front of a world-record domestic crowd at Wembley Stadium.
Kerr, who has netted six goals in the competition this season, fired in a cross from Pernille Harder and celebrated in front of Chelsea supporters with her trademark backflip.
The game had been finely poised until Kerr broke the deadlock despite Manchester United, competing in their first major cup final, being on top for most of the first half.
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Marc Skinner’s side, who have never defeated Chelsea, imposed themselves early on when Leah Galton had a goal ruled out within 23 seconds of kick-off for offside.
United had an edge after the chaotic start and came close again when Millie Turner almost stabbed in a loose ball on a free-kick, before Galton sliced Alessia Russo’s low cross wide at the near post.
But Chelsea always carried a threat through Lauren James, who looped a header which was expertly tipped on to the post by goalkeeper Mary Earps.
With 77,390 watching on at Wembley – a world record for a women’s domestic match – Chelsea began to impose their quality after the break.
Substitute Harder eventually provided the extra quality they needed when she teed up Kerr, ensuring Chelsea became the first side since Arsenal in 2008 to win three Women’s FA Cups in a row.
It is their fifth FA Cup crown overall and the latest in a growing list of phenomenal achievements by Emma Hayes’ side – and she will hope to add more in a few weeks’ time as Chelsea remain locked in a fierce Women’s Super League title race with United.
(BBC)
