Chelsea Women 2-1 Man United Women (AET): Match Report | OneFootball

Manchester United Women travelled to reigning champions Chelsea in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

First half

The hosts started on top and Sjoeke Nusken had an effort that was well blocked by the United defence inside the first two minutes.

Keira Walsh and Erin Cuthbert also had efforts in a short span of time, but both were blocked by the United defence. Marc Skinner’s side had their first chance after eight minutes when Frenchwoman Melvine Malard’s header from the centre of the box was stopped by Hannah Hampton.

Chelsea responded right away, and Alyssa Thompson’s curling effort was plucked out of the corner by the impressive Phallon Tullis-Joyce. United came forward again, and this time Jess Park’s effort was blocked by the solid Chelsea rearguard.

The game lulled a little before the threatening Park once again almost opened the scoring. She had a left-footed effort from the right-hand side of the box, but it ballooned over the crossbar.

Former United star Lauren James almost opened the scoring for the Blues, but her effort luckily drifted wide. Walsh once again put the United goal in danger, but her effort went just a little too high as United escaped once more.

The hosts kept up the pressure, and James’ fine effort was once again repelled by Tullis-Joyce as the teams entered the halftime break at Kingsmeadow all square at 0-0.

Second half

The home side started the second half as they did the first, with Thompson having a pop at goal, but Tullis-Joyce was once again up to the task.

United rolled up their sleeves and responded with efforts from Lisa Naalsund and Malard, but both efforts were blocked by a vigilant Blues defence. Park has been the outstanding performer for United this season and almost wrote another chapter in her incredible season’s story.

She launched a ferocious drive at the Chelsea goal, but it unluckily hit the post as United were inches from taking the lead. United continued to turn up the heat, and Malard was next to threaten the goal, but her effort drifted wide.

Chelsea finally got the breakthrough after 79 minutes when Sam Kerr’s shot crept into the corner of the net with the help of the post. There is something special about this particular United team, though, and they answered back after just two minutes.

Youngster Simi Awujo responded perfectly with a left-footed shot to bring the scores level in front of the travelling away fans.

Lucy Bronze thought she had won it for the Blues late on, but her effort was well blocked by the United defence and the match went to extra time.

Extra time

Kerr and Guro Reiten both had efforts for the home side, but both were well handled by United’s defence.

Chelsea cranked up the pressure and got back in front after 99 minutes. Veerle Buurman headed a corner towards goal, and Tullis-Joyce athletically tipped the ball onto the post. Unfortunately, Naomi Girma responded quickest and poked the ball into the net.

United picked themselves up again, and Malard’s teasing cross just evaded Elisabeth Terland in the Chelsea box. Park then tried her luck from distance, but the ball was deflected into the keeper’s hands.

Wieke Kaptein came close for Chelsea, but her right-footed effort narrowly missed the goal. Lea Schuller almost had a storybook moment, but her header was excellently saved by Hampton in the Chelsea goal.

Maya Le Tissier almost grabbed an equaliser, but her effort was stopped once again by the Chelsea keeper.

United lost their first match of 2026 and are out of the FA Cup. The players will ready themselves for the upcoming international break and then face Chelsea in the League Cup final next month. Featured image James Fearn via Getty Images

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