Manchester City clinch the double as Brighton’s Wembley dream ends in defeat | OneFootball

Manchester City Women beat Brighton Women 2-0 in the Women’s FA Cup Final at Wembley to complete the domestic double. Goals from Khadija “Bunny” Shaw and Lioness Lauren Hemp settled the contest as City added the cup to their WSL title.

For Brighton, it was the end of a landmark run in their first major final, having reached Wembley after a memorable semi-final victory. But this afternoon belonged to City, whose fourth FA Cup success underlined their return to the front of the domestic game ahead of Wembley 2026 becoming another marker in the club’s modern history.

Brighton began with the discipline and patience that had carried them through the competition, sitting compact and making City work for spaces in the opening half-hour. There were moments when they threatened to break, too, and Manchester City Women needed to stay alert against a side clearly not overawed by the occasion.

Still, City gradually took control of possession and territory, with Jill Roord and Yui Hasegawa helping pin Brighton back. The breakthrough came after 34 minutes when Roord delivered from the right and Khadija Shaw rose to head past Sophie Baggaley for her 30th goal of the season in all competitions.

Brighton nearly found a response before the break when Elisabeth Terland got a sight of goal, but Khiara Keating made an important save to preserve City’s lead. That moment mattered, because while Brighton had made City think, they had not yet found the equaliser their bright spell deserved.

City resumed on the front foot and continued to move Brighton from side to side, although Baggaley’s handling kept the deficit at one for a long spell. Brighton still showed ambition when they could, and their support had reason to believe one chance might turn the tie.

Instead, just after the hour and with the game still live, Lauren Hemp gave City breathing room. Cutting in from the left, Hemp drove at the Brighton defence and curled a fine finish into the far corner to make it 2-0 and leave City in control.

From there, Gareth Taylor’s side managed the final stages with authority, even if Brighton kept competing and looked for a route back. A fuller breakdown of the key displays can be found in our player ratings from the final, while Brighton’s route here had already written its own bit of club history after that semi-final win over Liverpool.

Gareth Taylor: This team found a way again

Taylor said to the club’s official website that he was especially pleased with the control City showed once they had gone in front. He said: “I’m really proud of the players. Finals are never straightforward and Brighton made things difficult, particularly early on, but we stayed patient and kept doing the right things.”

He also pointed to the contribution of his match-winners. “Bunny gives us such a focal point and Lauren can change a game in a second. They took their moments really well, and across the season this group has shown its quality and its character.”

And he added that sealing the double mattered because of what it says about the squad’s consistency. “To win the league and then back it up in the cup is a huge achievement. This group has worked for it.”

Dario Vidosic: Brighton have laid down a marker

Brighton boss Dario Vidosic said to the club’s official website that the result hurt, but not enough to take away from what his players have achieved this season. “We’re disappointed because when you get to a final you want to win it, but I couldn’t ask for more in terms of effort and commitment.”

He said the occasion should be a platform rather than an end point for Brighton Women. “This club has taken big steps, this run has shown that, and the players should be proud of the way they’ve represented Brighton on this stage.”

That felt fair. Brighton’s Wembley day ended in defeat, but their progress through 2025-26 means this should not be remembered as a one-off.