Brighton will face Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium
Brighton Women celebrated reaching their first ever FA Cup final after a dramatic 3-2 victory against Liverpool at St Helens.
Liverpool were 2-0 up and crusing thanks to first half goals from Denise O’Sullivan and Beata Olsson.
But Dario Vidosic's team are made of stern stuff and fought back thanks to strikes from Manuela Vanegas and Madison Haley.
Dutch midfielder Nadine Noordam completed the comeback in the fifth minute of added time to set up a Wembley final showdown WSL champions Manchester City.
Vidosic: We responded against Liverpool
Brighton boss Vidosic said: "It's easy to get caught up, go 2-0 down and think it's over.
"But we spoke about not letting it affect us and moving on. We've been in these situations.
"We were 1-0 down against Manchester City. We weren't good to begin with, but we responded, scored three goals, and won the game.
"We know this team has it in us and in the second half in particular, they were a joy to watch. To do that to a very good team gives us a lot of confidence."
Vidosic added: “Going to the home of football is something special and a privilege we are going to enjoy. It’s tough to get there and we’re one of only two teams who will be playing in the final. So I’m extremely proud of the girls and to be leading the team out at Wembley.”
City fight back to stun Chelsea
City also came back from 2-0 down to secure their final spot.
Erin Cuthbert and Sam Kerr had put Chelsea ahead before Mary Fowler clawed one back in the 87th minute and Khadija Shaw levelled for City in added-on time with a fine volley. Shaw then headed home from Yui Hasegawa’s cross in the additional half hour.
Shaw: ‘A mad week’
Shaw said: “I trust myself, I know what I can do and when the ball popped up one thing was on my mind and it was put it on target.”
“It’s been a mad week. Lots ups and downs but I don’t care. I enjoy my time at Man City and I always want to do the best that I can to get club back to where it needs to go. Obviously we won the league and now we are one step closer to the FA Cup.”
When is the final?
The final will take place at Wembley stadium in London at 3pm on Sunday 31 May. TV to be confirmed.
Fourth Round Proper: £54,000
Fifth Round Proper: £80,000
Quarter-Final: £90,000
Semi-Final: £160,000
The Final: £430,000 (winners) £108,000 (runners-up)
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