A dominant Manchester United eased their league woes as they surged into the semi-finals of the Women’s FA Cup with a comfortable victory over Brighton.
First-half goals from Millie Turner, Nikita Parris and Lucía García and a sensational finish from Lisa Naalsund in the second took last year’s finalists into the last four again.
As the sun was setting, the teams emerged in front of an anticipatory crowd at Broadfield Stadium. This was a rematch of last season’s semi-final, a competitive, goal-filled affair that Manchester United had edged thanks to an 89th-minute winner from Rachel Williams.
There was confidence among the home support who were welcoming their side back after a successful trip to Bristol in the WSL. There has been a sense of change in the air in recent weeks but the interim manager, Mikey Harris, named an unchanged side from the one that had scored seven goals the previous weekend.
In contrast, Marc Skinner made three alterations to his lineup after a frustrating league draw away to West Ham last time out. The result meant they drifted further away from the top three, their hopes of European football next season growing slimmer.
Jayde Riviere made a long-awaited return from injury to take up her role at right-back while Naalsund and García also came back in. It meant that Parris, a player enjoying a strong run of form, was pushed forward to lead the line.
Quick Guide
Liverpool 0-2 Leicester
Show
Jutta Rantala scored twice as Leicester City beat Liverpool to secure a place in the Women’s FA Cup semi-finals for the first time.
The Foxes were without manager Willie Kirk, who is currently being investigating over allegations of a relationship with one of his players. The assistant manager, Jennifer Foster, and first-team coach Stephen Kirby took charge on Saturday and oversaw a historic victory.
Finland midfielder Rantala smashed the ball into the bottom corner on the rebound after Janice Cayman had struck the post with a curling shot. Despite pressure from Liverpool before and after the goal, Leicester went in a goal up at the interval.
Liverpool, without a home win since mid-November, kept pushing but were punished for their profligacy as Rantala led a break downfield before crashing a shot in off the crossbar from the edge of the box.
‘I said to the players before the game, if we execute what we need to and do it in the way we know we can we know we’ll get the result we deserve – and we did,’ Foster told the BBC.
‘There were one or two moments where we lapsed in concentration and they almost capitalised but that was the wake-up call we needed and we shifted up a gear. I can’t fault the players for everything they’ve done today – I thought they were fantastic.’ Guardian sport
While the hosts looked full of energy in the opening stages, it was not long before United began to dominate as they built a commanding first-half lead. García was enjoying herself down the right, afforded plenty of space to run into by Emma Kullberg.
With Brighton’s defence looking unsettled, the visitors got the early breakthrough they craved when García broke once more to win a corner. The initial delivery was cleared but Katie Zelem rescued the ball before sending in one of her trademark crosses. Turner, running in at the back post, soared above everyone to thump the header home.
United’s control continued as they put Sophie Baggaley’s goal under pressure. Melvine Malard was looking full of running and the France international played a crucial role when they doubled their lead 10 minutes later. Playing a one-two with the lively Ella Toone, she threaded a well-weighted pass through to Parris. With just the keeper to beat, she tucked the ball low into the net.
after newsletter promotion
Brighton desperately sought a way back into the match but their end product was lacking. United, meanwhile, continued to threaten. Naalsund sent an effort over after being handed the ball before Hannah Blundell forced Baggaley into a stunning save.
They added a third just before the break when García turned the ball home after Malard had hit the woodwork.
United were not minded to take their foot off the gas with only the performance of Baggaley keeping the score down. The goalkeeper denied the frustrated Malard brilliantly on two occasions before producing a stunning save to keep out Parris late on. She could do little about the visitors’ fourth, however, when Naalsund produced a sublime swerving effort.
It was a chastening evening for Brighton, a plummet back to earth after the highs of last week. For United, however, it was a confidence-boosting victory, one that will perhaps breathe new life into the rest of their league campaign.