No Sam Kerr has spelt no Women’s FA Cup glory this year for Chelsea – but another Matilda, Charli Grant, now has the chance to live the dream in the Wembley final showpiece with Tottenham Hotspur.
Grant came on as a late substitute for Spurs as they were losing 1-0 to Leicester in Sunday’s first semi-final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but the Australian international defender helped them to battle back and earn a 2-1 win with less than three minutes left of extra-time.
Then holders Chelsea clearly missed their injured goalscoring talisman Kerr, who’s scored five goals in their last three Wembley triumphs, as they suffered their first ever defeat to Manchester United 2-1 in the second semi-final away at Leigh Sports Village.
Chelsea were eyeing a ‘quadruple’ haul of trophies just a fortnight ago in manager Emma Hayes’ farewell season, but after a League Cup final defeat and now this shock reverse, their season is in danger of unravelling without their best player Kerr, who’s recovering from an ACL injury.
But Kerr’s international teammate Grant will be relishing the chance to play in the biggest match in the English women’s game after she was introduced late into the semi-final action following a recent spell where she’s been benched by Spurs and not seen any playing time.
Again sidelined, the 22-year-old from Adelaide was part of a triple substitution in the 77th minute with Spurs trailing and their dream dying against a Leicester side who’d been holding on the lead from the 12th minute when Jutta Rantala drilled home a beauty.
Grant helped provide fresh impetus as Robert Vilahamn’s side produced a dramatic finale with Jessica Naz grabbing an 83rd minute equaliser, capitalising on a miskick from Leicester’s former Spurs captain Josie Green.
Then with a penalty shootout looming after Rantala had hit the bar from a free-kick in extra-time, substitute Martha Thomas proved Spurs’ late, late hero, heading home her 10th goal of the season in the 118th minute to see them through to their first Wembley final.
It was, according to Ange Postecoglou, who’s reinvigorated the men’s team, an historic day for Spurs.
Before the semi, the Australian had heaped praise on the women’s Swedish boss Vilahamn, saying: “Rob and the girls have been outstanding this year. Rob’s come in and changed a lot of things, and I can see they’re building a lot of belief.
“It’s great for them – and great for our club.”
Spurs would have expected the final to be a London derby against Chelsea, but the Blues were out of sorts.
Spanish winger Lucia Garcia headed United into the lead in the first minute before former Chelsea forward Rachel Williams added a second for United in the 23rd minute.
A Lauren James goal before the break threw Chelsea a lifeline and the visitors went on to dominate the second half while again seeming to miss the cutting edge of their Cup ace Kerr.
England keeper Mary Earps also pulled off a string of fine saves to keep Chelsea at bay.
It leaves Hayes hoping her side successfully defend their Women’s Super League title and lift a first Champions League crown before she leaves to take up the USA coach’s job.
Source Agencies
