Manchester United advanced to the FA Cup final against Tottenham after holding off a historic 2-1 victory over holders Chelsea at Leigh Sports Village.
In a rematch of last year’s final which they lost 1-0, Marc Skinner’s United took the lead in the first minute thanks to a Lucia Garcia header before doubling the advantage midway through the first half when Rachel Williams was heading home.
Former United player Lauren James scored a goal just before the break and the visitors did most of the attacking afterwards but were unable to force extra time, with Mary Earps making a superb save to thwart James and substitute Catarina Macario hitting the bar.
Ella Toone at the final whistle
The result is a first win for United against Chelsea since the team’s launch in 2018 – and they now have a chance of winning a first piece of major silverware when they return to Wembley on May 12 to face Spurs, who beat Leicester in the other semi-final. -final earlier Sunday.
Chelsea, meanwhile, saw their trophy bid end for the second game in a row, having lost 1-0 to Arsenal in the League Cup final last time out.
They remain in the hunt for the Women’s Super League – currently top of a table in which United sit fourth – and the Champions League, with a semi-final first leg at Barcelona next Saturday, as they seek the glory in their last matches before boss Emma Hayes leaves to head to the United States.
United made a dream start as they took the lead in the opening seconds, with Chelsea full-back Eve Perisset punished for losing possession with Leah Galton collecting the ball on the left and delivering a cross to the far post, where Garcia took the lead.
And after failed attempts at the other end from James and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, the hosts then extended their advantage via another header from the left, with Ella Toone this time securing the ball and veteran striker Williams, introduced in the starting eleven for Nikita Parris. , nodding at Hannah Hampton.
Williams had the chance to make it 3-0 soon after, but failed to get a shot on target, before James fired into the side netting.
Marc Skinner celebrates at the final whistle
Chelsea then applied further pressure as the interval approached, and after a Mayra Ramirez header went wide and Earps did well to deflect one from James around the post, the latter halved the deficit by drawing on the reduction of Niamh Charles.
Earps – who was dropped to the bench for England’s win over the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday, with Hampton playing in his place – then pulled off an even better save to keep out another James header six minutes in after the start of the second half.
As Chelsea continued to search for a leveler, Rytting Kaneryd’s penalty claims were turned down after she kicked the ball past Katie Zelem, and Earps was in action again to deny Erin Cuthbert and James.
The verdict was again no penalty after Williams collided with Charles, and Chelsea were then inches away from equalizing as Macario’s corner hit the bar.
Stoppage time at the end saw a Parris strike saved by Hampton and fellow Aggie Beever-Jones fire into the side netting as Skinner’s side sealed a breakthrough triumph.
And after?
Men Utd will host Tottenham next Sunday in the WSL, kick-off at 12 p.m.
that of Chelsea the next home match against Aston Villa is live Sky Sports Football Wednesday from 6:30 p.m., kick-off at 7 p.m.
