Arsenal Women vs Chelsea Women. The Women's FA Cup Final.
Wembley Stadium.
Saturday 5 May 2018 21:55, UK
Chelsea Ladies have won their second FA Cup trophy after beating Arsenal Women 3-1 in the final at Wembley on Saturday evening.
After a quiet first half, the second period burst into life when Ramona Bachmann broke the deadlock three minutes after the break with a neat finish after being set up by Fran Kirby.
The Switzerland international soon added a deflected second before Arsenal pulled a goal back through Vivianne Miedema on 74 minutes, but England forward Kirby ended any hopes of a recovery when she swiftly netted Chelsea's third.
It is the second time the Blues have lifted the trophy after their maiden victory in the 2014/15 season, while 14-time winners Arsenal finished as runners-up for only the third time.
Opening scorer Bachmann went closest for Chelsea in the first half, but her powerful strike from just outside the six-yard box flew wide, before Miedema nearly snuck a deflected effort home for Arsenal although the ball rolled out of play.
But the second half saw all the goals, and it did not take long for the Blues to take the lead. Bachmann and Kirby played a neat one-two before the latter slid in her team-mate to drill home just three minutes after the restart.
Bachmann nabbed the second on the hour mark, cutting inside from the right touchline before shooting, and seeing her effort deflected past Arsenal goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal.
The Gunners looked to make it a nervy finish when they nabbed a goal back in the 73rd minute. Some superb play from Beth Mead saw her speed away down the left before flicking the ball back for Miedema, who swept into the back of the net.
But three minutes later, and Chelsea restored their two-goal cushion with Kirby getting herself on the scoresheet. Hannah Blundell's cross found the Blues' top scorer, who curled a superb effort past Van Veenedaal to secure the FA Cup victory for Chelsea.