Match Recap- Manchester City Women are FA Cup Champions Again

City were looking to retain the FA Cup after beating West Ham United last year 3-0. City started the game strongly and were dominating possession. However, on a rare Everton attack, Lucy Bronze may have been lucky to not see red, just 15 minutes in. Bronze got back but ended up fouling Hayley Raso who was through on goal one on one with Ellie Roebuck. It was a good chance for Everton from the free-kick but Damaris Egurrola but the ball over the bar.

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Just past the halfway point of the first half, Sam Mewis, who had been looking bright, had a good chance after a long ball was played over the top, but Everton’s keeper Sandy Maclver came and won the ball.

With ten minutes of the first half to go, Everton had a rare breakthrough into City’s half. Valerie Gauvin beat Steph Houghton, but Roebuck made the save.

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City broke the deadlock late into the first half. Alex Greenwood took the corner for the Blues and Mewis leapt up on the outside of the six-yard box, beating her defender and headed the ball into the back of the net. 1-0 City.

It was a quiet first ten minutes of the second half until City nearly doubled their lead. Rose Lavelle gave the ball to Caroline Weir who cut across the keeper and hit the inside of the post, the ball then fell perfectly to Chloe Kelly who produced a good save from Maclver.

Everton had a chance shortly after City’s miss with a header from 6 yards out, Roebuck tipped it over the bar.

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Everton had their equaliser. 60 minutes in and as City had, they scored from a corner. Gauvin headed the ball in at the near post after a corner from former City player Izzy Christiansen. Arguably the City defence could have done better as Gauvin was left with the free header. 1-1.

City made their first substitution with just under half an hour to go with Georgia Stanway coming on for Ellen White.

A second substitution came shortly after with Lavelle making way for the young Jess Park who scored against Everton in the continental cup.

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A very good chance for the Everton goal scorer to put them ahead! Gauvin put the ball wide from just a few yards out with a free header. City got lucky.

With just ten minutes to go Stanway had a shot from 20 yards and saw the ball just go wide.

City should have scored! Bronze with a brilliant cross from the right-hand side on a plate for Kelly who put it over the bar from just 8 yards out. Two minutes into stoppage time and nearly the same again! Demi Stokes this time put a ball into the mix which fell for Weir who also put it over, City could have won the game late twice!

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The final chance of the second half came again for Weir who had a shot from 20 yards out after lovely play between her and Kelly, it hit the bar and the teams awaited extra time.

Into extra time and the Everton keeper again saved the day, Keira Walsh provided a through ball for Stanway and Mclver rushed out and saved.

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Another brilliant save from the Everton shot stopper. A corner was whipped in and captain Houghton headed the ball across the keeper who tipped the ball onto the post with her fingertips.

Into the second half of extra time and City went ahead again! It was a goal for substitute Stanway, and the assist was Park. Park gave it to Stanway, and McIver came out and made herself big but Stanway slipped the ball past her, it hit the post and in. 2-1 City!

City made their final substitution with just 3 minutes of extra time plus added time to go. Kelly came off and was replaced by Janine Beckie.

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City wrapped up their victory! Super sub Stanway again passed the ball across to Beckie who had time and space due to the tired Everton legs and no one got near her. Beckie passed the ball into the bottom corner of Mclver’s net and finished City’s FA Cup win.

Final Score: Everton 1-3 Manchester City