Brighton and Hove Albion fell to a disappointing 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in their first ever Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
Khadija Shaw opened the scoring after 38 minutes after captain Alex Greenwood’s cross curled out of reach from Chiamaka Nnadozie, allowing the forward to head home. Greenwood then doubled City’s lead on the stroke of half-time with a pinpoint free-kick that found the bottom-right corner.
Substitutes Aoba Fujino and Vivianne Miedema put the game out of sight in the second half to earn the WSL champions a domestic double.
Here are our Albion player ratings:
Brighton & Hove Albion pose for a team photograph prior to the Adobe Women's FA Cup Final (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)placeholder image
Brighton & Hove Albion pose for a team photograph prior to the Adobe Women's FA Cup Final (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Chiamaka Nnadozie 5 – Should have done better for Shaw’s opener, beaten to it by the WSL top scorer. Her positioning was questionable for Greenwood’s free-kick too. A disappointing end to an otherwise positive campaign.
Charlie Rule 5 – Conceded the free-kick that led to City’s second and was less impactful than Vanega on the other side of defence. Replaced on 71 minutes.
Caitlin Hayes 5 – Started with great composure when Brighton enjoyed their best spell but looked weary come the end of the game. Tough day at the office for the defender.
Moeka Minami 5 – Again kept the defence ticking in the first half-hour but was given a torrid time by Shaw and co after the break. One too many sideways passes too in a second half that needed a spark from somewhere.
Manuela Vanegas 6 – Lively down the left and had a rare Brighton chance in the second half, firing a tricky header over from close range.
Jelena Cankovic 5 - Like most of the Albion side, at her best in the opening stages but didn’t really figure as the game went on.
Maisie Symonds 6 – Albion's skipper made some promising forays forward in the first curled in a beauty of a cross to find Vanegas in the second half. The skipper will be disappointed with how the second half drifted away from them though.
Kiko Seike 5 – Blasted over Brighton’s best chance of the first half – one she really should have done better with. Struggled to impact the second half before her late substitution.
Fran Kirby 6 – Cut a frustrated figure at times in the second half as City gained control. Did show the sparks of quality that has seen her win this competition five times, but not enough today.
Marisa Olislagers 5 – Unfortunate when her goalbound effort was cleared off the line by Alex Greenwood. Lacked the urgency to make things happen on the day though.
Madison Haley 6 – In her preferred forward position today but also linked up well when dropping in. Found herself on the receiving end of a few tussles and had a penalty appeal waved away late in the day. Could have scored a late consolation but for a strong save from Ayaka Yamashita.
Substitutes
Rosa Kafaji 6 – Had a difficult task coming on with the game already beyond the Seagulls.
Maelys Mpome 6 – Came on at right back but found it tough against a dominant City.
Nadine Noordam, Rachel McLaughlan, Bex Rayner N/A - All came on late on with the game out of sight.
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