Inevitable Sam Kerr wins Chelsea Women’s FA Cup

Chelsea celebrate at Wembley after Sam Kerr scores against Manchester United

It was a record breaking day in London as Manchester United and Chelsea played host to a sell-out capacity crowd inside Wembley Stadium.

For the first time in their club’s history, Man United made it to the FA Cup Final, but for their opposition Chelsea, it was a chance to lift the trophy for the third consecutive year. 

FA Cup rookies United had the ball in the back of the net after 23 seconds through Leah Galton, however, it was ruled out for offside. 

That would have been the perfect start for United, but it wasn’t meant to be. For the rest of the first half, chances were few and far between.

It was quite lacklustre. A few attempted efforts from both sides, with only one each challenge both ‘keepers. 

Just after the half an hour mark, Millie Turner had a chance for United from a free-kick that needed a reactionary save from Ann-Katrin Berger. Then minutes before the break, Lauren James’ deflected header had Mary Earps reacting.

Both sides really lacked the quality needed in the first half to score the opener, and heading into the break, Marc Skinner will have been the happier of the managers. 

In the second half, and the Reds were trying to find the opener. But just over 10 minutes into the half, and Emma Hayes brought Pernille Harder into the game.

The attacking midfielder changed the game for the Blues, and between her and Sam Kerr, Chelsea were being more threatening with their attempts. 

Shortly after her arrival into the game, Kerr squared the ball to Harder in the middle of the box, but her attempt was straight into the hands of Earps. Minutes later, and Harder crossed the ball in to the box, but there was no one to meet it, and United cleared.

As Chelsea began to build and create chances, Harder once again crossed into the box, but this time, the inevitable striker Kerr struck the ball and fired her side into the lead. 

It was hard to say it hadn’t been coming, two huge chances before the goal, and Chelsea were going all out to find the back of the net and retain the Vitality Women’s FA Cup.

With just over 20 minutes left of the game, Chelsea had to maintain their lead as United searched for an equaliser. A number of changes for both sides tried to manage the game, but in the end, it wasn’t meant to be for FA Cup Final rookies Manchester United.

Earlier this week, Sam Kerr told the Daily Mail Wembley is her favourite Stadium to play at after saying she has never lost a game here. The Australian will be leaving tonight with a smile on her face after her goal decided the contest and won her side their third consecutive FA Cup. 

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