A record-setting Women's FA Cup attendance of 49,094 at Wembley Stadium was treated to a classic final between Chelsea and Manchester City on Sunday that included a wonder goal, a stunning 89th-minute equalizer and dramatic winner in extra time.
Sam Kerr, fresh off delivering Chelsea the FA WSL title with 20 goals in 20 games, got the opener in the 33rd-minute after Millie Bright's cross soared over City goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck before Kerr got the final touch.
Chelsea in front at Wembley! @samkerr1 with the slightest of touches!#WomensFACupFinal @ChelseaFCW pic.twitter.com/SV13hPt3Ox
— Vitality Women's FA Cup (@VitalityWFACup) May 15, 2022
City's response three minutes before halftime was sublime. Lauren Hemp took possession out wide on the edge of the area, beat Bright inside and curled a right-footed effort inside the far post.
HEMPO that was MAGIC ✨
— Vitality Women's FA Cup (@VitalityWFACup) May 15, 2022
But Chelsea restored its lead in the 63rd with an even better strike from Erin Cuthbert. The Scottish international, 23 yards out, took one touch before unleashing a rocket that went crossbar down to beat Ann-Katrin Berger.
That is an absolute beauty @erincuthbert_ take a bow, that’s some strike! #WomensFACupFinal @ChelseaFCW pic.twitter.com/hQ0GfdwHTG
— Vitality Women's FA Cup (@VitalityWFACup) May 15, 2022
It looked like a fitting goal to win the FA Cup final, but in the 89th, City's Hayley Raso perfectly controlled Alex Greenwood's diagonal ball, shrugged off Magdalena Eriksson and expertly finished.
That touch and finish from @HayleyRaso
City are level in the dying minutes! #WomensFACupFinal pic.twitter.com/k6UbkSeGWn— Vitality Women's FA Cup (@VitalityWFACup) May 15, 2022
In extra time, there could only be one hero: Kerr.
Tired legs made for space and numerical advantages, and in the 99th minute, Kerr took off from inside her own half and charged inside City's area. Kerr had Jessie Fleming up alongside her for support, but good things happen when you throw it on net.
Chelsea have the advantage! @samkerr1’s deflected shot fires past Roebuck in the City net!#WomensFACupFinal @ChelseaFCW pic.twitter.com/GfKq0N4w8e
— Vitality Women's FA Cup (@VitalityWFACup) May 15, 2022
It's a repeat WSL and FA Cup triumph for Chelsea and manager Emma Hayes — a remarkable achievement given the strength of opponents like City, Arsenal and Manchester United.
@ChelseaFCW are having a party at @wembleystadium #WomensFACupFinal pic.twitter.com/dFF0dsDlc2
— Vitality Women's FA Cup (@VitalityWFACup) May 15, 2022