Chelsea’s Sophie Ingle and Sam Kerr knock Arsenal out of Women’s FA Cup

Chelsea are through to the quarter-finals of the Women’s FA Cup with victory over Arsenal at Kingsmeadow. Goals from Sophie Ingle and Sam Kerr were the difference as Emma Hayes’s side kept alive their ambitions of retaining the trophy for the third successive time.

Only 72 hours after the international break, the teams had little preparation time. Nevertheless, both managers were able to name their strongest available lineups. Despite injury to Fran Kirby, Hayes’s attack was full of potential with Kerr and Lauren James at its heart. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s Jonas Eidevall reverted to a back four and brought in the experience of Katie McCabe to his front three.

History repeated itself for Arsenal in the first half. They edged chances created and possession but could not make them count. They could have been ahead within minutes but for the brilliance of Ann-Katrin Berger who tipped over a Frida Maanum effort. Stina Blackstenius also had chances, but the Arsenal striker’s confidence levels are clearly low, evidenced by some wayward finishing.

Chelsea grew into the half, exploiting spaces. Their opener came in this fashion on 20 minutes with James marauding down the right. With no challenges coming in, she meandered her way to the edge of the box before setting up Ingle to fire past Manuela Zinsberger. It was all too easy for Chelsea as they picked Arsenal’s defence apart.

Within 10 minutes of the restart, the hosts showed their quality again. Attacking at pace, Jelena Cankovic sent Kerr through and there was only ever going to be one outcome. “Even with jet lag, she’s better than you,” sang a joyous Chelsea crowd as the Australian striker notched her 16th goal of the season.

Sign up to Moving the Goalposts

Informative,