Comebacks and late winners – Chelsea's route to the Women's FA Cup final
Five-time winners Chelsea will be playing in their fourth FA Cup final in five seasons and, here, the PA news agency takes a look at their route to Sunday's showpiece.
Into the hat for the next round of the FA Cup! 🎩🏆#CFCW pic.twitter.com/sVUqbgQOox
— (C)helsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) January 12, 2025
With WSL teams entering the competition in the fourth round, Chelsea started their campaign with a routine 4-0 win over Charlton at Kingsmeadow.
Mayra Ramirez and Guro Reiten struck in the first half to put the Blues in control against the Championship outfit before goals from Aggie Beever-Jones and Niamh Charles comfortably secured their spot in the next round.
An early scare saw Chelsea fall behind in the 17th minute as Sara Holmgaard put the Toffees ahead.
However, Sonia Bompastor's side responded as Catarina Macario slotted home from the penalty spot and Mayra Ramirez added a second just before the break.
Maika Hamano extended their advantage in the 71st minute before another spot-kick – this time converted by Sandy Baltimore – wrapped up the win.
Chelsea edged to a narrow victory over WSL strugglers Palace.
The game fell in the middle of a congested run of fixtures for the Blues in March and was their third match of eight that month.
Chelsea were left frustrated by a strong defensive performance from the Eagles, but Lauren James proved the difference by scoring the only goal of the game in the 64th minute.
Another closely-contested game followed as Chelsea needed a stoppage-time winner from Beever-Jones to book their spot in the final.
Bompastor's side dominated the opening stages and, although Liverpool took the lead in the 21st minute on the break through Olivia Smith's low finish, Erin Cuthbert levelled on the stroke of half-time.
Chelsea had multiple chances to score in the second half and, with the game seemingly destined for extra-time, Beever-Jones' late header sent her side to Wembley.
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