Women’s FA Cup final LIVE: Chelsea vs Manchester United result and reaction as Sam Kerr scores winning goal
Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United: Kerr’s goal wins Chelsea a third FA Cup in a row in front of a world-record crowd for a women’s club match
Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 to claim a third straight Women’s FA Cup title in front of a record crowd at Wembley, as Sam Kerr’s strike again proved to be the difference.
Kerr, who also scored the winner in last season’s final, turned in substitute Pernille Harder’s fine cross in the 68th minute to decide a tight game in front of 77,390 fans - the highest attendance for a domestic women’s match in England. “We didn’t have a great game today, but it’s the sign of a great team that we pushed on,” Kerr said.
United dominated possession and created numerous opportunities in the first half, but could not find a breakthrough as Chelsea struggled to match the WSL leaders. Leah Galton had a goal ruled out in the first minute for offside, while both goalkeepers, Ann-Katrin Berger and Mary Earps, made excellent saves as the teams went into the break level.
United were quickly made to rue their wasted chances after the restart, as Chelsea grew into the game and broke the deadlock through Kerr. The goal took the wind out of United’s sails and Chelsea were able to contain them as they held on to lift the trophy for a fifth time.
Relive the action from Wembley as Chelsea beat Manchester United to win the FA Cup.
Women’s FA Cup final 2023: Chelsea vs Manchester United
Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United - 23 mins
Sam Kerr hasn’t really been involved in the action so far but the Australian - who won Football Writers Player of the Year this week - shows her class with some lovely hold-up play on halfway. United defend well though and regain possession.
United are looking to counter with pace when they do win the ball back
Women’s FA Cup final 2023: Chelsea vs Manchester United
Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United - 18 mins
The electric Lauren James gets space down the right for the first time and twists inside and out Hannah Blundell. Blundell gives away a foul on the byline as she lunges in, although James was going down anyway.
Free-kick in a dangerous position but Mjelde’s header is a long way wide
Women’s FA Cup final 2023: Chelsea vs Manchester United
Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United - 14 mins
United still having most of the play and closing Chelsea down when not in possession. Another promising attack sees Toone cut inside from the left and the cleverly backheel to Parris.
She opens her hips and tries to curl a shot into the far corner but it’s straight at Berger, who gratefully clutches the ball. Lovely build-up again from the underdogs though.
Women’s FA Cup final 2023: Chelsea vs Manchester United
Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United - 8 mins
As underdogs, Man Utd probably need to take advantage of any spells where they’re on top. That’s been the case so far but they haven’t broken the deadlock yet.
Melanie Leupolz goes down for Chelsea and the physio runs on but the German seems ok to continue after some treatment
Women’s FA Cup final 2023: Chelsea vs Manchester United
Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United - 5 min
United are having the best of this game so far and Parris is again involved with more neat build-up play before the ball is whipped into the box from the left. It’s an unconvincing punch from Berger but cannons off a United player for a goal-kick.
Women’s FA Cup final 2023: Chelsea vs Manchester United
NO GOAL! Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United - 1 min
OH WOW! What a start to the match.
After just 20 seconds, Manchester United have the ball in the net as Ella Toone finds Leah Galton in the box and she finishes clinically. However it’s ruled out for offside. Toone was marginally offside when Alessia Russo turned the ball round the corner to her.
A let-off for Chelsea but what a dramatic start!
Women’s FA Cup final 2023: Chelsea vs Manchester United
Only a couple of minutes until kick-off now. Here’s a reminder of the teams.
Confirmed line-ups
Chelsea XI: Berger; Perisset, Mjelde, Eriksson, Charles; Leupolz, Cuthbert, Fleming; James, Kerr, Reiten.
Manchester United XI: Earps; Batlle, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell; Ladd, Zelem; Parris, Toone, Galton; Russo
Women’s FA Cup final 2023: Chelsea vs Manchester United
Both teams walk on to the Wembley pitch to a deafening roar. Playing in front of 92,000 fans will do that!
Prince William meets both teams, shaking the hands of each player and a couple of the mascots. National anthem upcoming
Women’s FA Cup final 2023: Chelsea vs Manchester United
The incredible and long-overdue growth of women’s sport in the UK has been one of the most heartwarming things to see over the past few years. A sold-out Wembley for the FA Cup final today is another milestone.
Fans have been gearing up for the game in the glorious London sunshine all day.
Women’s FA Cup final 2023: Chelsea vs Manchester United
Of course Sam Kerr starts - after scoring in five consecutive cup finals for Chelsea, including four goals in her past two appearances at Wembley - the Australian international is once again the player to watch today.
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