Manchester United WFC 2-1 Chelsea FCW, Women’s FA Cup semifinal: Post-match reaction

With Chelsea Women hoping to clinch another final berth this season, their hopes were quickly dashed by their opposition, Manchester United. A massive mistake from our defence handed Leah Galton an open lane towards our defensive third. As everyone focused on taking the ball from the winger, Lucía Garcia appeared almost entirely free in the box to get the cross and score a header against Hannah Hampton only 40 seconds into the match.

This was the perfect start for United, who only had to cushion Chelsea’s desperate attempt at getting the tying goal. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd was the go-to woman for that, with excellent speed and dribbling skills to leave markers behind.

As they say in Brazil, “who doesn’t do it, takes it”. This time midfield and defence combined to let Ella Toone infiltrate our backline, and assist Rachel Williams for United’s second goal with a pinpoint cross.

Now United moved from the perfect start, to the perfect first half. Chelsea were intent on helping them out, with the midfield duo of Melanie Leupolz and Erin Cuthbert nowhere to be found.

Someone had to step up. And Lauren James decided to do it all herself.

The goal at the end of the half was a good way to partially kill the giddy vibe between goalkeeper Mary Earps and United’s defenders every time she made a routine save. It was on Emma Hayes to put it to the best of uses.

The players tried their best. But with the referee doing all she could to avoid punishing Manchester United in any way, despite the Red Devils’ best efforts in the exact opposite direction, Chelsea couldn’t climb the mountain they made for themselves.

• Strong lineup for an important match, with Hannah Hampton between the posts and Mayra Ramírez up top.
• Weird choices from Melanie Leupolz and Erin Cuthbert this first half. No way out of this game if we don’t improve our midfield.
• Lauren James, the beacon!
• I don’t know how Emma Hayes and the rest of the team can still keep their calm in face of such horrendous refereeing, week in and out.
• Next up: Aston Villa at home in the Women’s Super League.
• KTBFFH.