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Opposition guide: Chelsea Women

by
Zoe Hodges
Friday 12 April 2024 15:59

Manchester United will face Chelsea this Sunday in the semi-final of the Adobe Women's FA Cup at Leigh Sports Village.

The Reds will be hoping to beat the Blues for the first time since our reformation in 2018, as we look to go one better than last year and win the competition.

Meanwhile, Emma Hayes' side, who narrowly beat us in last year's final, are looking to reach their seventh FA Cup final in 10 years.

WOMEN'S FA CUP V CHELSEA AT LEIGH adcard

TICKETS FOR SUNDAY'S SEMI-FINAL
CURRENT FORM

Hayes, who is departing Chelsea at the end of the season, was hoping to end on a high with a quadruple on the cards until two weeks ago. However, those dreams came to an end when they lost in the Continental Tyres League Cup final to Arsenal, 1-0 in extra time.

The Blues still have the opportunity to win three trophies as they find themselves in a battle with Manchester City for their fifth consecutive WSL title whilst in the Champions League, they travel to Barcelona next weekend for the first leg of the semi-final.
The congested fixture list has taken its toll on our opponents' squad and they have been forced to grind out results at times, particularly in the FA Cup. In the fourth round, West Ham took a shock lead but Mia Fishel equalised for the Blues to force extra time. They went on to win 3-1.

In the fifth round, Chelsea narrowly defeated Championship side Crystal Palace 1-0. January signing Mayra Ramirez scored the only goal of the game as Hayes said they just had to "find a way to win."

It was the same scoreline in the quarter-final against Everton, with Hayes calling her team's performance "sluggish."
Skinner's FA Cup press conference Video

Skinner's FA Cup press conference

Press conference | Marc Skinner wants his team to show an "abundance of personality" against Chelsea in the FA Cup...

ONE TO WATCH

With Millie Bright sidelined for much of the season and Sam Kerr ruled out for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign, Chelsea's strength in depth has been put to the test. 

Ramirez joined Chelsea in January for a record fee. She made her debut when replacing Lauren James in the London side's WSL clash with Brighton and Hove Albion and has made eight appearances for the club so far, scoring three goals including that one against Palace in the FA Cup.
Ella Toone in action against Chelsea, at Stamford Bridge in January.
Catarina Macario joined the Blues in June last year during her recovery from an ACL injury. When she did get back on the pitch for Chelsea she made an instant impact, scoring just six minutes into her debut against Leicester City in the league at the beginning of last month. 

The USA international followed this up by grabbing the only goal against Everton in the FA Cup quarter-final, in what was her second appearance for the Blues. 

United's journey to the Women's FA Cup semis

 Article

Take a look back at how the Reds reached Sunday's home semi-final against Chelsea.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS
We have yet to beat Chelsea since our reformation in 2018. The clubs have faced each other 10 times, resulting in 9 losses for the Reds and one draw.

The last meeting took place in January with Chelsea beating us 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. Former Reds forward Lauren James punished her old side with a hat-trick of goals.

Last season's FA Cup final was much closer. After Leah Galton had a goal ruled out for offside in the second minute, Chelsea went on to win 1-0 with Sam Kerr scoring for the Blues.

SEMI-FINAL TICKETS

You can buy tickets for Sunday's huge game against Leigh Sports Village  on the venue's official website. 

Useful information for fans heading to LSV, including advice on how to get there, can also be found there.

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