Chelsea 3-2 Manchester City: Player ratings as Blues win Women's FA Cup
By Ali Rampling
Sam Kerr netted a brace in a second consecutive FA Cup final as Chelsea ran out 2-3 extra-time victors over Manchester City to secure the 2021/22 crown.
Just five months on from sinking Arsenal with a double at Wembley to lift the delayed 2020/21 trophy, the Australian forward again proved decisive as Chelsea won back-to-back Women's FA Cups for the first time in their history.
City started the brighter and had two clear sightings of goal inside the opening five minutes. Caroline Weir flashed over from close range after being picked out by Lauren Hemp, before Hemp saw a goal-bound effort blocked following a surging Georgia Stanway run.
After a shaky start, Chelsea grew into the game and were the first to have the ball in the back of the net, Kerr rounding Ellie Roebuck and slotting into an empty net. The Australian international's finish was correctly ruled out for offside.
Kerr wasn't to be denied, and in the 33rd minute she had her customary cup final goal, popping up at the back post to meet Millie Bright's in-swinging cross from the right flank.
City levelled the scores on the stroke of half time through regular Chelsea tormenter Lauren Hemp. The winger cut inside Millie Bright and bent a fabulous effort into the top corner to leave proceedings tantalisingly poised at the break.
Buoyed by their late leveller, City burst out of the blocks in the second period. A flowing team move started by in her own half by Keira Walsh ended with Hemp being denied a second goal of the afternoon by the feet of Ann-Katrin Berger.
But Chelsea re-took the lead just after the hour mark - and in spectacular style. The effervescent Erin Cuthbert received the ball on the edge of the box and unleashed a ferocious strike into the top corner off the underside of the bar.
With the Blues on the cusp of defending their crown, City found another equaliser. Alex Greenwood picked out Hayley Raso with a fabulous cross field pass, and the substitute shrugged off Magdalena Eriksson before firing past Berger to send the game to extra time.
A last ditch Berger intervention kept White out in the first period of extra time following Caroline Weir's low delivery, before the Blues retook the lead for the third time. Alana Kennedy misjudged an innocuous clearance to allow Kerr to race clean through, and the forward's effort deflected in off the sliding challenge of the unfortunate Greenwood.
City pushed for an equaliser in the dying stages, but Chelsea held firm to seal victory and complete a domestic double.
Chelsea vs Manchester City - Women's FA Cup: Player ratings
1. Chelsea (3-4-3)
GK: Ann-Katrin Berger - 7/10 - Comfortably claimed a couple of potentially dangerous Kelly crosses in the first half, saved well with her feet to keep out Hemp in the second
RWB: Jess Carter - 6/10 - Beaten by the magical feet of Hemp on a couple of occasions. Made an important block to keep Stanway out on the stroke of half time.
CB: Magdalena Eriksson - 5/10 - Bit of an unconventional role, often drawn out to the left to deal with the City right winger. Beaten by Raso for City's equaliser.
CB: Millie Bright - 6/10 - A mixed day: set up Chelsea's opener with a wicked delivery from the right flank, before allowing Hemp to cut inside in the build up to City's leveller.
CB: Aniek Nouwen - 6/10 - Solid and steady - replaced after 70 minutes.
LWB: Guro Reiten - 5/10 - The more attacking of Chelsea's wing backs, didn't offer a great deal of protection with both Kelly and Raso both able to affect proceedings down the Chelsea left. Replaced by the more defensively minded Andersson ahead of extra time.
CM: Sophie Ingle - 7/10 - Did an understatedly good job keeping the usually destructive Weir quiet.
CM: Erin Cuthbert - 9/10 - Conceded possession in her own half, before making a superb recovery challenge to halt a marauding Shaw - indicative of her tenacious, all-action display. Then scored a pretty good goal.
FW: Pernille Harder - 7/10 - Teed up Cuthbert for Chelsea's second. Full of running and classy touches.
FW: Sam Kerr - 8/10 - Popped up at the back post to nod home Bright's cross. Looked really lively, caused problems with her pace. Demonstrated great anticipation for her second - another decent day out at Wembley for the forward.
FW: Bethany England - 7/10 - Did plenty of harrying and chasing up top, intelligently laid off Cuthbert for Chelsea's second. Replaced after 70 minutes.
Sub: Ji So-yun - 6/10
Sub: Niamh Charles - 6/10
Sub: Jessie Fleming - 6/10
Sub: Jonna Andersson - 6/10
Sub: Maren Mjelde - N/A
2. Manchester City (4-3-3)
GK: Ellie Roebuck - 5/10 - Bailed City out with a last ditch tackle in the first half - but unable to get anything on Bright's back post cross in the build up to Chelsea's opener. Conceded possession in the build up to Chelsea's second.
RB: Lucy Bronze - 5/10 - Limited in her opportunity to bomb forward and have her usual attacking influence on proceedings.
CB: Alana Kennedy - 4/10 - Went into the book for a clumsy challenge on Harder and struggled to deal with the pace of Kerr at times. Misjudged the ball to allow Kerr to get in behind for Chelsea's third.
CB: Alex Greenwood - 7/10 - Swept up well at the back. Got Shaw in behind on the cusp of halftime with a really smart lofted pass. Set up City's equaliser with a trademark cross field pass in behind.
LB: Demi Stokes - 6/10 - Got forward frequently particularly in the second half. Unable to close down Bright in the build up to Chelsea's opener.
CM: Keira Walsh - 6/10 - Played City into trouble on the edge of her own box on a couple of occasions with a loose pass and a loose touch, but otherwise brave and composed on the ball
CM: Caroline Weir - 6/10 - Flashed narrowly over in the opening exchanges, and saw a tame, long-ranged distance drive comfortably held. Otherwise kept relatively quiet.
CM: Georgia Stanway - 7/10 - Spun fantastically in the middle of the park to carve open a clear sighting of goal for City inside the first five minutes. Looked dangerous whenever driving at the Chelsea backline.
RW: Chloe Kelly - 7/10 - Caused problems in the second half with her quick feet and a selection of smart deliveries. Replaced with 15 minutes remaining.
ST: Bunny Shaw - 5/10 - Couldn't get her bearings as she headed a dangerous Kelly cross away from goal. Saw another half chance blocked. Looked dangerous, but her final ball was often lacking.
LW: Lauren Hemp - 8/10 - Carried City's greatest attacking threat, as is often the case, and levelled the scores with a bending effort.
Sub: Hayley Raso - 7/10 - Showed great strength and composure to level the scores. A dream FA Cup final substitution.
Sub: Ellen White - 5/10
Sub: Laura Coombs - 5/10
Sub: Julie Blakstad - 5/10
Sub: Vicky Losada - N/A
