Match report as Sam Kerr secures Chelsea's first silverware of the season; Leah Galton had a goal ruled out for offside inside 20 seconds as Man Utd failed to capitalise on a dominant first half; the game had an attendance of 77,390, the record for a Women's FA Cup final
Sunday 14 May 2023 21:41, UK
Sam Kerr scored once again in a Women's FA Cup final to fire Chelsea to a third successive title, beating Manchester United 1-0 at a sold-out Wembley.
Not only was Chelsea's Kerr-inspired victory witnessed by a record crowd for a Women's FA Cup final, but a world record attendance for a women's domestic fixture, beating the previous record of 60,729 when Atletico Madrid faced Barcelona in 2019.
There had been injury concerns around Australia striker Kerr after she was left on the bench for the midweek win against Leicester, but she slotted home from Pernille Harder's squared pass in the 68th minute as the Blues won their first silverware of the season.
Kerr had previously scored in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 finals as well as both WSL games against Man Utd this season, proving once again to be Chelsea's Ms Dependable when it comes to match-winning moments.
It was a disappointing end for Man Utd in their first major cup final, having dominated the first half. Leah Galton did have the ball in the net inside 20 seconds, but it was correctly ruled out for offside in the build-up.
But Chelsea's strength in depth shone through in the end - especially after the introduction of Harder - as both teams now turn their attentions back to the WSL as they also battle for the league title in one of the tightest-ever races.
Manchester United showed no early signs of being overawed by their first cup final and had the better of the play in the first half. Galton had the ball in the back of the net inside 20 seconds, but Ella Toone was marginally offside in the build-up.
They kept testing Chelsea's backline - who were missing starting centre-backs Millie Bright and Kadeisha Buchanan - and around the half an hour mark, had two glorious chances. Berger superbly denied Mille Turner from close range, before Galton sent Alessia Russo's low cross wide off her shin.
Chelsea's best chance of the first half came just before the break. Lauren James nipped ahead of her defender to meet a cross, which Mary Earps stretched to meet, flicking it onto the post.
It was a far more even start to the second half where both goalkeepers needed to be alert. Earps saved from Kerr, before Russo and Galton tested Berger. Harder should have scored with her first touch, but scuffed her effort wide.
Chelsea looked far more of a threat after Harder's introduction and she deservedly picked up an assist for her efforts. She was picked out down the right wing with a superb run, squaring the ball for Kerr to inevitably fire home.
The Blues should have added another in the 80th minute, but Sophie Ingle fired Kerr's squared cross well over the bar. Man Utd began to push again as six minutes of added time were shown, Berger and Buchanan needing to make some last-ditch saves to deny them an equaliser, as Chelsea came out on top once again.
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes:
"I will pat myself on the back [for tactical tweaks in the second half]. The most important thing is more silverware. Man United made it hard, they are a wonderful football team.
"This is a victory for grind. Hard work matters and we can roll our sleeves up with the best of them. Our team has been in transition, we had six different players in our starting XI to last year's final.
"My big thing is 'how can we keep winning while still transitioning'. To win knowing we're in that stage, this is far and away my most memorable FA Cup final.
"We are hybrid monsters. It takes years to master. Congratulations to the players for being so adaptable.
"Sometimes we sneer and look down on winning football matches the way we do. There is a sense that everything has to be perfect, but any winning manager will tell you there is such a mixture of performances needed. Finding ways to win when you aren't at your best is the marker of a great team."
Chelsea striker Sam Kerr to the BBC:
"I think it's the sign of a great team, we didn't have our best game but we pushed through. Everyone stuck at it and we got the win.
"[Pernille Harder] did amazing, the team did amazing. I'd be wrong to say it was all me. I'm just lucky to be the number nine in this great team.
"A lot of people have been asking for it [the backflip celebration]. I text my friend and said back flip incoming today."
Man Utd manager Marc Skinner to Sky Sports News:
"It's a tough one. Chelsea are good at what they do, we knew which style they would play. When we assess it just now, we should win that game in our opinion, we feel that we do enough. We have big moments, Sam took one but apart from that, they didn't create much.
"I'm proud of all the girls, they showed a real maturity and something that will only hold us in good stead going into these games in the future.
"I can see very clearly what Manchester United needs to be in the next year or two and the recruitment we need to make us be in that position but I believe we can overtake Chelsea. I know that sounds strange, but that's the desire and belief I have… that's what I'm going to keep working towards and I promise the Man United fans that I won't stop until we're in a constant winning phase.
"We need to make sure we recruit now and should we secure Champions League, then look at trying to win the title and beyond that, the players will come to Manchester United. We're building something really exciting here."
Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:
Sam Kerr's name will be the headline grabber. Her celebration shot will be the image used to accompany any commentary of another momentous Chelsea triumph.
Kerr is used to her position in the spotlight. The prodigal striker is Chelsea's big-game player, so often rising to the occasion and producing the spectacular. Against Manchester United that came in the form of a sensational backflip, which rather outstripped the somewhat simple tap-in she delivered to clinch Chelsea's third straight FA Cup title.
This final will be remembered as historic, perhaps not for the football, but for another watershed moment in the development and popularity of the women's game - attendances continue to rise and this was no different as over 70,000 packed into a resplendent Wembley. What is a consistently unwavering, however, is how synonymous Chelsea's success is with Kerr's presence.
"I've never coached a player like her," manager Emma Hayes said after the full time whistle had blown. "A player to have such conviction, confidence and courage. She can cope with the pressure and expectation and is the sweetest human being."
Kerr, deserving of such acclaim, must also be thankful. This was not a solo venture. The brilliance of substitute Pernille Harder gifted the Australia international her fifth Wembley goal in four visits. She's now scored 10 times in seven domestic cup finals - six in succession. But plaudits need to be shared. Harder changed the complexion of the tie entirely.
"Sam Kerr is priceless but let's credit Pernille," Hayes told the BBC. "We knew we needed more stretching runs. I almost made the change at half time." Who knows where Chelsea would be if Harder had not spent six months of the season on the sidelines with injury. Further along in the Champions League, and out of sight in the WSL, perhaps. She is that influential. At the very least, under the surface of it all, this FA Cup conquest belongs to her. The unsung hero of yet another Chelsea crown.
Chelsea can take a major step towards retaining their Women's Super League title if they win the two London derbies they have coming up.
Emma Hayes' Blues go to West Ham on Wednesday night, live on Sky Sports, before hosting Arsenal in a huge WSL title race clash next Sunday. Chelsea end their season by travelling to Reading on the final day.
Manchester United also have a big match on Sunday as they face arch-rivals Manchester City in another blockbuster fixture. Marc Skinner's side then face Liverpool on the final day of the WSL season on May 27.
