Manchester City Women vs Arsenal Women. The Women's FA Cup Semi-Final.
City Football Academy.
Summer signing Sam Mewis opens City account; Steph Houghton also on target as Jordan Nobbs levels in vain; Gareth Taylor's side face Everton in final
Thursday 1 October 2020 21:42, UK
Sam Mewis was the matchwinner as Manchester City booked their place in the Women's FA Cup final after a 2-1 win over Arsenal.
City captain Steph Houghton scored the goal City's early dominance deserved in the 19th minute when she curled a free-kick over the wall and into the left-hand corner, after Leah Williamson fouled Caroline Weir just outside the box.
Arsenal clawed themselves level after a glorious shot from Jordan Nobbs on the edge of the area looped powerfully over Ellie Roebuck seven minutes before the break.
But Gareth Taylor's side wasted no time restoring their lead - and it proved decisive.
Chloe Kelly's cross from the right found White, who managed to scramble the ball back for USA international Mewis
to rifle home unmarked in the box just two minutes later, opening her City goalscoring account in the process.
City picked up the second half where they left off, dominating the ball and pressing with purpose.
They could not find their third goal though and Arsenal rallied, creating chances of their own.
Nobbs picked out Caitlin Foord in the box with 15 minutes remaining but her header was not powerful enough to trouble Roebuck.
Vivianne Miedema sparked into life on 82 minutes, driving into the penalty box, but Demi Stokes got down well to steal the ball away.
Arsenal continued to probe but City held on to make sure of a place at Wembley against Everton.
Everton had booked a first Women's FA Cup final since 2014 with a comfortable 3-0 win over Birmingham on Wednesday.
Northern Ireland international Simone Magill converted Everton's dominant first-half performance into a 1-0 lead with a goal in the 44th minute.
Nicoline Sorensen doubled the advantage in the 60th minute as she exploited the space behind Birmingham full-back Rebecca Holloway to turn an Ingrid Moe Wold cross into the back of the net.
Everton substitute Valerie Gauvin wrapped it up three minutes from time after Christiansen intercepted the ball from a tired-looking Birmingham defence and played in Molly Pike, whose through ball saw Gauvin drill home.
