14 January 2024, 16:28 GMT
Updated 1 hour ago
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
West Ham took a shock lead away to FA Cup holders Chelsea through Viviane Asseyi’s goal
FA Cup holders Chelsea needed extra time to beat West Ham 3-1 after trailing in a testing fourth-round tie.
Mia Fishel equalised with 20 minutes left following Viviane Asseyi’s shock opener, before Erin Cuthbert and Sjoeke Nusken scored in extra time.
Rosella Ayane got a 96th-minute winner as Women’s Super League side Tottenham came from two down to beat Championship opponents Sheffield United 3-2.
WSL giants Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal also progressed.
Manchester City won 4-0 at Durham, Manchester United crushed Newcastle United 5-0 and Arsenal had too much for Watford, winning 5-1.
It had been 1,204 days since Chelsea last lost a Women’s FA Cup match, with Emma Hayes’ side winning the trophy in each of the past four seasons.
But they were stunned after 18 minutes at Kingsmeadow when Asseyi beat goalkeeper Zecira Musovic with an early strike following a long ball.
West Ham – who are second-bottom of the WSL with one league win all season – frustrated Chelsea until United States international Fishel was able to turn in the box and fire into the roof of the net.
The Blues – who struggled without injured striker Sam Kerr – finally took control in extra time, Cuthbert heading home in the 101st minute before Nusken added a third.
Hayes admitted Chelsea – who have won the domestic league and cup double in each of the past three seasons – “looked rusty” for the first hour, but she was ultimately pleased with their performance.
“In the end, we looked comfortable winners,” she said. “It looked like it had been three and a half or four weeks since we played.”
Tottenham, meanwhile, seemed set for a shock defeat as they trailed Sheffield United 2-0 after 51 minutes – Sophie Haywood and Jess Sigsworth scoring – and were still behind with 10 minutes to go despite Bethany England pulling one back.
But an England penalty got them level, before Morocco international Ayane rescued Robert Vilahamn’s side in the final minute of added time.
There was however an upset as Championship side Reading – relegated from the WSL last season – were beaten 2-1 at home by third-division Wolverhampton Wanderers.
WSL big guns power through
Video caption,
Women’s FA Cup: Manchester City ease past Durham 4-0 to head to the fifth round of the FA
Aside from Chelsea, the other members of the WSL top four meanwhile steered well clear of danger. In the 12:00 GMT kick-off, Manchester United silenced the large travelling support at Leigh Sports Village to inflict third-tier Newcastle’s first defeat in more than a year.
Ella Toone opened the scoring for the hosts, with Nikita Parris adding two before Rachel Williams and Melvine Malard struck late on.
A strong Manchester City side had too much for second division Durham at Maiden Castle. Jill Roord scored twice for City, including the pick of the goals with a blistering strike into the top corner. Laura Coombs had opened the scoring after seven minutes, while Mary Fowler added a late fourth.
Arsenal cruised against Championship opponents Watford, scoring twice in the first 12 minutes through Alessia Russo and Lia Walti. Stina Blackstenius made it 3-0, before Michelle Agyemang – on loan at Watford from the Gunners – pulled a goal back with the visitors’ only shot on target.
Amanda Ilestedt and Frida Maanum added goals late on for Arsenal, who are seeking a record-extending 15th Women’s FA Cup. There was some concern for the Gunners, however, as England international Beth Mead required treatment for an injury to her right ankle at the full-time whistle.
Three top division sides were guaranteed to exit the FA Cup from all-WSL ties, and Aston Villa were the first to go as they were beaten 3-0 at home by Everton on Saturday.
Everton scored three times in the second half to beat Carla Ward’s side, Karoline Olesen opening the scoring on 58 minutes before Katja Snoeijs netted twice to seal an impressive win.
With Chelsea beating West Ham, the other all-WSL tie brought progress for Liverpool, who won 1-0 at Bristol City despite being reduced to 10 players. Gemma Bonner scored with five minutes remaining, after Ceri Holland was given a second yellow card on the hour mark.
Elsewhere, Luton Town – the lowest-ranked side in the fourth round, playing in the fifth-tier Premier Division of the Eastern Region League – lost 6-0 at home to WSL side Brighton.
The final WSL side to progress were Leicester City, who cruised to a 4-0 victory at Derby County, while Championship outfit London City Lionesses beat fourth-tier Moneyfields by the same score.
Third-tier Nottingham Forest are into the last 16, with a thumping 6-1 away win at fellow National League side Plymouth Argyle.
Championship club Charlton Athletic avoided an upset, winning 4-1 at third division Ipswich Town, as did Birmingham City against National League North side Burnley – although they required extra time before triumphing 3-1.
In two all-Championship ties, Crystal Palace beat Blackburn 3-1 while Southampton won 2-0 at Sunderland.
When is the Women’s FA Cup fifth-round draw?
The draw for the fifth round will be made on Monday, 15 January at 19:30 BST. It will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club and also streamed on BBC iPlayer.
Mark Chapman will present the draw alongside former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given and two-time Women’s FA Cup winner Abbie McManus.
2024-01-14 17:08:02
#Womens #Cup #fourth #Holders #Chelsea #extra #time #Spurs #avoid #Sheffield #United #shock
