Chelsea and Man United's route to historic Women's FA Cup Final

14 May 2023 , 06:00

627     0

Chelsea have won both of their WSL fixtures against Manchester United this season (Image: Getty Images)

This weekend's Women's FA Cup Final will make history.

The FA confirmed last week tickets for the showpiece fixture had sold out for the first time ever, meaning there will be a full house at Wembley Stadium as holders Chelsea take on Manchester United.

Emma Hayes' side are bidding to win the competition for a third successive year following Sam Kerr's dramatic extra time winner against Manchester City last season. Meanwhile, United will travel to the capital in search of a first major trophy.

Mirror Football has taken a look at how both teams booked their spot in the final.

Chelsea

Like all Women's Super League sides, Chelsea entered the competition in the Fourth Round.

Earps reacts to FIFA Best nomination and on season so far with Man Utd

A Sam Kerr hat-trick saw the Blues edge past Liverpool to kickstart their cup campaign, with Emma Hayes' side surviving a late Reds fightback to advance to the fifth round.

A tie with London rivals Arsenal came next, with Kerr once again on target and Sophie Ingle also finding the back of the net to dump the Gunners out of the competition.

Sam Kerr helped Chelsea triumph over Arsenal in the Fifth Round

Chelsea's trend of exclusively playing fellow WSL sides continued in the quarter-finals, where they beat Reading 3-1 at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Jess Carter opened the scoring in the 23rd minute before Maren Mjelde doubled the visitors' advantage heading into the break. Reading pulled one back in the second half through Sanne Troelsgaard but Guro Reiten's strike rubber-stamped the victory for Chelsea.

The Blues had Wembley firmly in their sights but to make sure of their passage to the final they had to overcome Carla Ward's high-flying Aston Villa side. It was an ominous prospect, with WSL top-scorer Rachel Daly in fine form heading into the clash, but - as is so often the case - it was Kerr who made the difference.

The Australian nodded home from Reiten's sublime cross to see Chelsea through to Sunday's showpiece fixture, where they'll be vying to keep their hopes of a domestic double alive.

Manchester United

United are on the brink of the club's first major trophy, but their route to the final wasn't straightforward.

Championship side Sunderland nearly caused an upset in the fourth round, with Abby Holmes drawing the Black Cats level in the 67th minute after Nikita Parris had opened the scoring in the North East. However it wasn't to be for the hosts, whose hopes of progressing in the competition were swiftly dashed by Parris' second strike of the day.

It was a more routine affair for United in the fifth round, with Marc Skinner's side scoring five without reply against Durham at Leigh Sports Village.

Manchester United beat Lewes to reach the semi-finals

The rout of the Wildcats was followed by a trip to another second-tier side: Lewes. Alessia Russo got United off the mark before goals from Vilde Bøe Risa and Nikita Parris saw the Red Devils progress to the semi-finals.

It was Brighton who took the lead in the semi-final clash, courtesy of an uncharacteristic error from Mary Earps. However, United soon restored parity through Leah Galton. Alessia Russo then put the hosts within touching distance of Wembley in the second half before Danielle Carter once again levelled the scoring at Leigh Sports Village.

Man Utd boss Skinner sends firm message to Arsenal over Russo contract saga

It looked like the tie was destined for a penalty shootout before super-sub Rachel Williams rifled the ball home in the 89th minute to send United through to the final.

Beth Lindop