Chelsea booked their place in the semi final of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace thanks to a second half Lauren James strike. Chelsea had welcomed Crystal Palace to a sun soaked Kingsmeadow on Sunday afternoon with the intention of booking their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the fifth time in a row. Crystal Palace on the other hand were trending new ground, playing in their maiden FA Cup quarter final. The Eagles were hoping that under new management in Leif Smerud they could chart a route to FA Cup dreamland and a place in the semi-final of England’s premier cup competition.
Chelsea came into this game off the back of a 3-1 victory over Leicester in mid-week at Kingsmeadow that went a long way towards shaking off the cobwebs of that draw away to Brighton. The Blues made five changes from the side that beat Leicester in midweek both full backs Lucy Bronze and Niamh Charles were dropped to the bench with Sandy Baltimore and Ashley Lawrence coming into the starting eleven. Erin Cuthbert, Wieke Kaptein and Aggie Beever-Jones all also came in.
Crystal Palace on the other hand were playing in just their second game under the management of Smerud after defeat to Liverpool last time out in the league. The Eagles made three changes with Abbie Larkin and Josie Green dropping out of the line-up while Lexi Potter dropped out of the line-up due to being unable to play against her parent club. In their place came Chloe Arthur, Molly Sharpe and Fliss Gibbons.
The Line ups:
CHE: Hampton, Lawrence, Bright, Bjorn, Baltimore, Cuthbert, Kaptein, Hamano Macario, Beever-Jones
CRY: Yañez, Woodham, Swaby, Gibbons, Riley, Arthur, Cato, Blanchard, Larisey, Weerden, Sharpe
The Action:
It took all of two minutes for Lauren James to show her immense talent, tricking her way into a shooting position before her shot was blocked. Yañez was spared on that occasion but was tested soon after with a low cross from Beever-Jones on the right that Caterina Macario attempted to make contact with but was unable to, the American keeper fumbled the ball out for a corner in unorthodox but effective fashion. Predictably Chelsea were doing much of the early running and a cross from Lawrence found Beever-Jones in plenty of space but she was unable to direct her header on target.
Embed from Getty Images
None of this was deterring the small but passionate away support who remained in full voice, 15 minutes in Crystal Palace almost gave the Eagles faithful something to cheer as Clarissa Larisey stole in behind Millie Bright but her touch deserted her allowing Natalie Bjorn to cover for her defensive partner. Familiar service was resumed shortly after as Chelsea probed for the opener, a chipped cross to the back post from Macario found James at the far post but Chelsea’s number 10 could only find the side netting from a tight angle.
Chelsea continued to press for the opener, they would have found it if not for the heroics of Crystal Palace’s goalkeeper. Sandy Baltimore was afforded far to much space on the left, her inch perfect cross fell to the head of Beever-Jones but Yañez stunningly blocked the effort with her feet. From the resulting corner Kaptein’s effort whistled just wide. An errant cross from Beever-Jones almost found the far corner of the Palace net just prior to half time before James played through Macario whose reverse shot rolled past the post. Macario turned provider shortly after when she laid off Beever-Jones in the box but her lobbed shot eluded the Palace net.
At half time Sonia Bompastor shuffled the deck with Hamano and Kaptein withdrawn and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Sjoeke Nüsken in an effort to aid the cards to be dealt in her favour in the second period. Kaneryd was making some early second half running, setting up Macario whose shot on goal was caught by Yañez from close range. The substitutions were having the desired effect early in the second half as Kaneryd was finding herself free in behind on more than one occasion.
Embed from Getty Images
Chelsea had the ball in the back of the net just before the hour mark through Macario but the goal was chalked off for an offside in the build up. Abbie Larkin and Izzy Atkinson were introduced off the bench for Palace with the clear intention being pace in behind and fresh legs to press. Chelsea continued to fashion opportunities as Lily Woodham made a vital interception with 60 minutes on the clock when Kaneryd was lurking to fire into an empty net. The Blues were rewarded for their patience, after a Chelsea corner was cleared to the edge of the box the ball fell exactly where none of the Palace players wanted it to, the feet of Lauren James, taking the ball first time she fired the ball into the bottom corner.
Embed from Getty Images
Chelsea were peppering the Palace goal in search of a second with Cuthbert firing wide. Palace attempted to arrest the home side’s momentum with the introduction of Elise Hughes. The Welsh striker returning from injury seemed to play at centre back with no defenders on the bench Hughes stepped up to aid her side’s cause. Palace had to finish the match with 10 players after Gibbons was forced off with an injury. Palace did what they could lacking a player on the pitch but were unable to turn the tide as Chelsea’s charge on all fronts continues.
Next up for Chelsea is the Subway League Cup final against Manchester City at Pride Park next Saturday while Crystal Palace will welcome relegation rivals Aston Villa in a must win game if they are to stay in the league for another season.
Chelsea Player Ratings:
Hannah Hampton – 6/10 – Had precious little to do for most of the match but involved herself in the build up to good effect when called upon.
Ashley Lawrence – 7/10 – Positive in possession and as Palace seemed more keen on targeting the other side of the pitch did not have a huge amount of defending to do.
Natalie Bjorn – 7/10 – Covered for Bright when necessary but largely had very little to do.
Millie Bright – 6/10 – Looked a little uncomfortable at times dealing with the pace of Larisey in behind, misplaced a few passes looking to advance the side in the build up. Her leadership to keep the side calm and patient in search of the opener was vital.
Sandy Baltimore – 8/10 – Baltimore’s crossing was inch perfect more often than not, the French international continues to be one of the best signings of the season.
Wieke Kaptein – 6/10 – Struggled to get involved in the Chelsea build up but aided control of the midfield, was subbed off at half time.
Erin Cuthbert – 7/10 – Broke up Crystal Palace counter attacks on more than one occasion but was lucky to escape the match without a booking. Missed a couple of decent chances.
Lauren James– 8/10 – Her first touch never fails her, and she took her goal well but missed a number of good chances, yet still she continues to evidence herself as perhaps the most talented player in the country.
Embed from Getty Images
Maika Hamano – 6/10 – The Japanese midfielder has been one of Chelsea’s best players this season but today was not her day, hooked at half time.
Catarina Macario – 8/10 – The American of Brazilian heritage showcased the best of both those footballing nations, her power and physicality troubled Palace while her quick feet and intelligent vision dazzled them.
Aggie Beever-Jones – 7/10 – Beever-Jones found herself good positions in the box but was unable to finish a number of chances. She was undeterred however and even as Chelsea struggled to break the deadlock she refused to shy away from the ball, often driving from deep to create an opportunity.
Crystal Palace Player Ratings
Shae Yañez – 8/10 – Made some brilliant saves to keep the scores level and to keep her team in the match. Her distribution was at times found wanting especially as Palace looked for a break from the constant pressure the home side placed them under.
Lily Woodham – 8/10 – A wise head on the pitch for Palace, she knew when to fly up the pitch and when to stay back and keep possession, a vital asset to Palace on a trip away to a top side. Misplaced a few passes as the match wore on.
Allyson Swaby – 7/10 – Swaby continues to impress for Palace, and she led the line in an organised and impressive defensive showing.
Fliss Gibbons – 8/10 – A wonderful defensive effort from Palace and Gibbons was key to the game plan, throwing herself in front of everything, more often a full back Gibbons impressed in the centre back role. Limping by the end of the match she left everything on the pitch.
Indiah Paige-Riley – 7/10 – Another impressive performer for the visitors, the Kiwi worked hard to ensure parity for as long as possible.
Chloe Artur – 6/10 – Defended well within the collective for Palace.
My Cato – 7/10 – Some magnificent close control in midfield helped her team to hold onto possession when countering. As expected most of the Palace midfield was set up to contain and she gave a lot for that cause.
Embed from Getty Images
Molly Sharpe– 8/10 – Carried out her defensive duties extremely well and provided a much needed physicality to proceedings.
Annabel Blanchard – 6/10 – Starved of the ball for long periods, had some good touches when she did receive it but was unable to create anything of note for her side.
Ashleigh Weerden – 7/10 – Inexhaustible defensive energy the Dutch woman did the job required of her in defence. She was brought off early in the second half.
Clarissa Larisey– 8/10 – A consistent threat for the travelling side, had some wonderful driving runs at the Chelsea goal, she gave the Blues something to think about.
The Halfway Line Player of the Match: Fliss Gibbons
Playing out of position at centre back against the best team in the country would be a daunting task for any footballer but Gibbons left everything out there on the pitch. She placed her body on the line time and again to attempt to ensure a positive result for her side, the full back by trade was limping by the end but demonstrated immense leadership and did not deserve to be on the losing side.