Chelsea progressed to the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Semi Finals following a thrilling encounter against Crystal Palace at Kingsmeadow. Chelsea, dominant in the Women’s Super League under the guidance of three-time Manager of the Month winner Sonia Bompastor, looked to continue their winning streak, and that they did.
Palace’s aim to change the narrative after being knocked out of the quarter finals by Chelsea last year was ultimately in vain, as Chelsea secured a hard-fought victory, with England international Lauren James netting the deciding goal.
Chelsea came out with intent in the first half, but despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, they were unable to find the breakthrough.
The match began with Chelsea controlling possession early on, looking to convert their dominance into an early goal. James was the first to test Palace’s defence, attempting a shot on goal in the third minute, but it was blocked. Chelsea continued to press, with Aggie Beever-Jones delivering a low cross on the sixth minute, but nothing came from it.
As the half progressed, Catarina Macario delivered an inviting cross to Beever-Jones, whose header looked destined for goal. However, Palace’s Shae Yanez and Felicity Gibbons made crucial blocks to deny the Chelsea forward. The pressure was mounting, and in the 31st minute, Beever-Jones thought she’d found the net with a shot through Yanez’s legs, but her effort was ruled offside.
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Palace, despite the relentless attacking from Chelsea, managed to keep the score level. A yellow card for Gibbons in the 41st minute for a foul on Macario gave Chelsea a free kick, but it failed to lead to a goal. Macario herself had a chance to break the deadlock just before halftime, firing wide after good work from James.
As the half concluded, Palace stood firm defensively, with Gibbons and Chloe Arthur making key blocks to thwart Beever-Jones in added time, and after a goalless first half, both teams headed into the break looking for a breakthrough.
Chelsea made two substitutions at the start of the second half, with Sjoeke Nüsken replacing Wieke Kaptein and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd coming on for Maika Hamano. Chelsea continued to control possession, but it was Palace who had the first significant moment. Millie Bright’s free kick in the 51st minute was delivered straight to Palace’s Lily Woodham, forcing Hannah Hampton off her line.
After a miscued volley from Rytting Kaneryd, Palace made two changes, bringing on Isibeal Atkinson and Abbie Larkin for Ashleigh Weerden and Indiah-Page Riley. Goalkeeper Yanez was also booked for time-wasting. Chelsea made a crucial substitution in the 55th minute, Mayra Ramírez replaced Beever-Jones, bringing some fresh energy to the home side.
_The Blues_ thought they had broken the deadlock in the 57th minute when Macario found the net, but it was ruled offside. In the 63rd minute, James received a low ball across the box, but Woodham was there to defend, forcing a Chelsea corner. They finally found the breakthrough in the 64th minute after Sandy Baltimore’s corner was met by James, who found the bottom corner to put Chelsea ahead.
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Erin Cuthbert then dragged a shot wide in the 66th minute, as Chelsea pushed for a second.
Oriane Jean-Francois replaced Cuthbert in the 74th minute, and Woodham was booked for a foul in the 76th. Palace made their final substitution in the 78th minute, with Katie Stengel coming on for Clarissa Larisey. Chelsea made their final substitution in the 83rd minute, with Niamh Charles replacing James.
In the closing moments, Palace had a chance from a corner, but Arthur’s header went off target. Six minutes of extra time followed, with Hughes receiving a yellow card right at the end.
Despite Palace’s resilience, _The Blues_ held firm to seal the win. This victory sends Chelsea into the semi-finals, where they’ll look to continue their pursuit of another FA Cup title, when they host Liverpool at home.
**CHE:** Hampton, Lawrence, Bright, Björn, Baltimore, Cuthbert, Kaptein, Hamano, James, Macario, Beever-Jones
**CRY:** Yanez, Gibbons, Arthur, Cato, Sharpe, Blanchard, Weerden, Riley, Larisey, Woodham, Swaby