Manchester United's defence of the Adobe Women's FA Cup ended in heartbreak at Wembley as we lost 3-0 to Chelsea in the final.
Though United took the game by the scruff of the neck and got off to a bright start, a Sandy Baltimore penalty just before half-time put the WSL champions in front.
United played with intent at the start of the second half but two late goals, one from Catarina Macario and a second for Baltimore, ended United's hopes of retaining the Cup.
United played with intent at the start of the second half but two late goals, one from Catarina Macario and a second for Baltimore, ended United's hopes of retaining the Cup.
FIRST HALF
It was United who attacked first as we looked for a fast start. A couple of inviting crosses were floated into the area in the opening few minutes and it was Grace Clinton with the first shot of the game which was deflected wide for a corner. The delivery was good but Blues goalkeeper Hannah Hampton managed to punch it out.
After a confident start from the Reds, Chelsea began to grow into the game. With a quarter of an hour on the clock, the Blues registered their first shot which was dealt with comfortably by our Players' Player of the Year, Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Dominique Janssen had a golden opportunity to open the scoring for Marc Skinner's side after United dispossessed Chelsea in a dangerous area, not long after. Elisabeth Terland delivered the initial cross, Chelsea cleared it but only as far as Janssen who ran onto the ball on the edge of the area. However, her powerful shot sailed just over the bar.
It was United who attacked first as we looked for a fast start. A couple of inviting crosses were floated into the area in the opening few minutes and it was Grace Clinton with the first shot of the game which was deflected wide for a corner. The delivery was good but Blues goalkeeper Hannah Hampton managed to punch it out.
After a confident start from the Reds, Chelsea began to grow into the game. With a quarter of an hour on the clock, the Blues registered their first shot which was dealt with comfortably by our Players' Player of the Year, Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Dominique Janssen had a golden opportunity to open the scoring for Marc Skinner's side after United dispossessed Chelsea in a dangerous area, not long after. Elisabeth Terland delivered the initial cross, Chelsea cleared it but only as far as Janssen who ran onto the ball on the edge of the area. However, her powerful shot sailed just over the bar.
At the other end, Mayra Ramirez was running at Tullis-Joyce, the striker poked it across goal, and with Lucy Bronze rushing in, it looked sure to be the opening goal. However, between Leah Galton and Tullis-Joyce, they blocked the shot to keep the score level.
Chelsea enjoyed a sustained period of possession with chances for Baltimore and Erin Cuthbert but our shot-stopper remained calm. Galton and captain Maya Le Tissier put in some well-timed tackles.
However, just before half-time, Chelsea broke the deadlock. Celin Bizet was penalised for a coming together with Cuthbert in the box. Baltimore stepped up and made no mistake from the spot.
Chelsea enjoyed a sustained period of possession with chances for Baltimore and Erin Cuthbert but our shot-stopper remained calm. Galton and captain Maya Le Tissier put in some well-timed tackles.
However, just before half-time, Chelsea broke the deadlock. Celin Bizet was penalised for a coming together with Cuthbert in the box. Baltimore stepped up and made no mistake from the spot.
SECOND HALF
Much like in the first half, it was the Reds who made the more promising start. United had ground to make up and we played with intensity. The addition of Ella Toone gave Marc Skinner's side an edge. Terland had the first attempt on goal but her header went straight into the arms of Hampton.
United then came again, a lovely cross from the right found the feet of Toone who took a touch then a shot but it was a comfortable save for Hampton.
As United fought to keep the deficit to one and find a way back into the game, the tension grew and the cards came out of referee Stacey Fullicks's pocket. Galton was the first to find her name in the book followed quickly by Clinton. As United attacked again, Cuthbert's tactical foul landed her a yellow card for Chelsea.
Much like in the first half, it was the Reds who made the more promising start. United had ground to make up and we played with intensity. The addition of Ella Toone gave Marc Skinner's side an edge. Terland had the first attempt on goal but her header went straight into the arms of Hampton.
United then came again, a lovely cross from the right found the feet of Toone who took a touch then a shot but it was a comfortable save for Hampton.
As United fought to keep the deficit to one and find a way back into the game, the tension grew and the cards came out of referee Stacey Fullicks's pocket. Galton was the first to find her name in the book followed quickly by Clinton. As United attacked again, Cuthbert's tactical foul landed her a yellow card for Chelsea.
The momentum swung back in Chelsea's favour after a lengthy stoppage in play due to Galton taking a heavy knock. The Reds struggled to get the ball and keep hold of it.
United seemed to tire and Chelsea took advantage. A free-kick conceded in a dangerous area was headed past Tullis-Joyce by substitute Macario.
Then, as we entered 10 minutes of injury-time, any hope Skinner's team had of getting back into the game was ended by Baltimore who turned away from Lisa Naalsund and smashed it goalward to make it 3-0, sealing success for the Blues.
MATCH DETAILS
Chelsea: Hampton; Bjorn, Bright (c), Girma; Walsh; Bronze (Rytting Kaneryd 90+4), Charles, Cuthbert (Nusken 90+4), Baltimore (Reiten 90+4); Beever-Jones (Kaptein 75), Ramirez (Macario 62).
Unused subs: Spencer, Lawrence, Hamano, Jean-Francois.
Goals: Baltimore 45, 90+1, Macario 84.
Bookings: Cuthbert, Baltimore.
United: Tullis-Joyce; Mannion (Malard 70), Le Tissier (c), Turner (Toone 46), George (Sandberg 76); Miyazawa (Naalsund 81), Clinton, Janssen; Bizet (Williams 81), Terland, Galton.
Unused subs: Rendell, Middleton-Patel, Awujo, Griffiths.
Bookings: Galton, Clinton, George.
Attendance: 74,412.
Chelsea: Hampton; Bjorn, Bright (c), Girma; Walsh; Bronze (Rytting Kaneryd 90+4), Charles, Cuthbert (Nusken 90+4), Baltimore (Reiten 90+4); Beever-Jones (Kaptein 75), Ramirez (Macario 62).
Unused subs: Spencer, Lawrence, Hamano, Jean-Francois.
Goals: Baltimore 45, 90+1, Macario 84.
Bookings: Cuthbert, Baltimore.
United: Tullis-Joyce; Mannion (Malard 70), Le Tissier (c), Turner (Toone 46), George (Sandberg 76); Miyazawa (Naalsund 81), Clinton, Janssen; Bizet (Williams 81), Terland, Galton.
Unused subs: Rendell, Middleton-Patel, Awujo, Griffiths.
Bookings: Galton, Clinton, George.
Attendance: 74,412.