Women’s FA Cup photo essay – road to Wembley, final: Chelsea v Manchester City

Manchester City’s victory over West Ham in the semi-final meant that they were heading for Wembley for a fourth FA Cup final in the last six seasons. The match against Chelsea was a repeat of March’s League Cup final which City won 3-1. Whichever team triumphed would be winning a double, after Chelsea secured the Women’s Super League title last weekend. A victory for Emma Hayes’ side would also mean that following 2020-21’s Treble, Chelsea would have won five of the six domestic trophies on offer over the past two seasons. The two sides have developed a strong rivalry in recent years, with Chelsea’s dominance only punctured by City’s success in the cup competitions.

Fans, merchandise and a police horse on a rainy Wembley Way

Presenter Joelah Noble interviews Kimberly Wyatt, who is a former Pussycat Doll and is taking part in the half-time show

Wembley starts to fill up with Chelsea and Manchester City fans

Fans and players sing the national anthem (above); City’s Georgia Stanway and Chelsea’s Sophie Ingle in action.

After a blistering start by City, with Caroline Weir going close on a couple of occasions, Chelsea steadied the ship and the game developed into a cagey one with both teams playing cautiously, desperate not to concede the first goal. Sam Kerr did breach the City defence in the 18th minute (below) when she raced through and finished with aplomb, but her effort was chalked off for offside.

Kerr found the net again 15 minutes later, when she headed home Millie Bright’s looping cross. This time the goal stood, and Chelsea had the lead.

Differing emotions in the stands following Kerr’s goal, while her teammates celebrate (below).

Manchester City equalised just before half-time courtesy of a wonderful curling