FA Cup Final: Chelsea Dominates Manchester United

Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea squad showcased their prowess yet again, maintaining an impressive unbeaten streak in domestic competitions with a decisive 3-0 win over Manchester United in the FA Cup final.

United didn’t play poorly, but Chelsea’s Sandy Baltimore shone with two goals, complemented by a strike from Catalina Macario.

The match took place in front of a sold-out Wembley crowd, marking the 10th anniversary of the women’s FA Cup final at this iconic venue. While the attendance of 74,412 was notable, ticket prices might still be a barrier for some fans. The growth of the women’s game is gradually improving, but there’s clearly more work to be done.

Surprisingly, Ella Toone was left out of United’s starting lineup despite her recent accolades as the club’s player of the year. Wembley has been a standout stage for her, including an unforgettable performance during Euro 2022 and scoring in the FA Cup last season. Instead, Dominique Jansen joined Hinata Miyazawa and Grace Scrimshaw in midfield, with Aoife Manion filling in defensively due to an injury to Jay Deliviere.

Notable figures, including Avram Glazer and CEO Omar Berada, were present, highlighting the match’s importance. United initially struggled against Chelsea’s aggressive start but managed to hold their ground.

The first significant chance of the match came to Chelsea as they began to increase their pressure.

Three minutes into the game, Elizabeth Turland, who had made her way back into the starting XI, nearly scored for United. After making a good run from the right, she directed a ball to Jansen, but her shot sailed over the goal.

In a thrilling atmosphere, tennis star Serena Williams attended with her family, while Chelsea’s ownership structure, including minority owner Alexis Ohanian, added to the significance of the event. A moment of worry came when Meila Ramirez nearly lost control of the ball before Talis Joyce cleared it, allowing Gabby George’s long-range effort to hit the post.

Eventually, Chelsea broke the deadlock, capitalizing on a mistake by United’s Cerin Bisette, who fouled Erin Cuthbert in the box, resulting in a penalty. Baltimore stepped up, sending the keeper the wrong way for a crucial goal just before halftime.

Despite Chelsea’s dominance, their fluid play seemed sporadic at times this season. They’ve demonstrated resilience, adapting their strategy effortlessly when needed. Regardless of the challenge, their winning mentality remains evident as they seamlessly manage different game scenarios.

At halftime, Toone replaced Turner, who had picked up a knock. United emerged with renewed vigor. Toone’s input was felt almost immediately, as they sought to equalize with a few attempts, but they struggled to truly threaten Chelsea’s defense.

With just six minutes remaining, Chelsea struck again. Baltimore delivered a free kick, which was brilliantly headed in by Macario, further extending their lead.

To finalize the scoreline, Baltimore capitalized on a defensive mistake from United, dribbling past the keeper and securing her second goal, sealing Chelsea’s emphatic victory.