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Manchester United will meet Tottenham Hotspur in the Women’s FA Cup final on May 12 after they beat Chelsea for the first time in their history and Spurs came back from a goal down to defeat Leicester City 2-1 in the semifinals on Sunday.
United came into the game never having beaten Chelsea since the women’s side was formed in 2018, but Spain international Lucía García showed no signs of being weighed down by that history as she put her side ahead in the first minute.
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Former Chelsea forward Rachel Williams added a second for United in the 23rd minute, but a Lauren James goal before the break threw Chelsea a desperately-needed lifeline and Emma Hayes’ side went on to dominate the second half.
With her position as England‘s number one threatened by Chelsea keeper Hannah Hampton, United’s Mary Earps pulled off a string of superb saves to keep the home side in it, prompting wild celebrations at Leigh Sports Village at the final whistle.
The loss means Hayes won’t be able to add to her tally of the four FA Cups she’s won at Chelsea, with the 47-year-old set to leave the club at the end of the season to take charge of the United States women’s national team.
Earlier on Sunday in London, Leicester looked to be headed for Wembley thanks to a 12th-minute strike from Jutta Rantala, but Jessica Naz kept her cool to grab the equaliser in the 83rd minute to force extra time.
With the two sides deadlocked and penalties looming, Martha Thomas netted the winner for Spurs with a looping header in the 118th minute to send her side through to the FA Cup final for the first time.