The Women's FA Cup Final: 5 Classic Moments From Previous Finals

09 May 2020 07:13

The Women's FA Cup final was scheduled to take place on Sunday 9 May, but certain circumstances mean instead we're stuck in doors watching our neighbours do a social distancing conga instead.

While the FA Cup has lost a bit of its sheen in the men's game, cup final days remains one of the highlights of the women's football calendar.

Let's take a look back at some of the most memorable moments from previous finals.


Second Tier Sunderland Push Arsenal All the Way (2009)

Sunderland were the story of the 2009 FA Cup, as the second tier side went on a remarkable run all the way to the cup final.

They met the reining FA Cup and Women's Premier League champions Arsenal, with the result surely a formality.

But the young Sunderland side really made Arsenal work for it, with the Gunners sneaking a 2-1 victory. Future Lionesses Jordan Nobbs, Lucy Staniforth, Demi Stokes and Lucy Bronze all lined up for the Black Cats, with the latter turning in a player of the match performance against England icon Rachel Yankey.


Underdogs Everton Triumph Over Arsenal (2010)

Arsenal were outrageously dominant in the mid to late noughties, winning seven league titles on the bounce, and lifting five FA Cups in six seasons.

Everton were the classic always the bridesmaid never the bride story, having long lived in Arsenal's shadow, but stunned the heavy favourites with a famous victory in 2010.

Arsenal twice came from behind to take the game to extra time, but Natasha Dowie struck in the 119th minute to complete an astonishing cup upset, and win the competition for the first time in the Toffees' history.


Birmingham Win Penalty Shootout Thriller (2012)

Birmingham came back from the brink on two occasions to beat Chelsea on penalties in the 2012 final.

A Helen Lander stunner had given Chelsea the lead, but Rachel Williams stabbed home from a corner in the 90th minute to send the game to extra time.

Chelsea led again through Kate Longhurst, but Karen Carney levelled through a quickly taken free kick, meaning penalties were required to settle the tightest of affairs. Birmingham even trailed in the shootout after Williams missed their first spot kick, but it eventually swung in their favour, and they secured their maiden piece of silverware.


Cup Final Makes Wembley Bow (2015)

The Women's FA Cup final was played at Wembley for the first time in 2015, with Chelsea and Notts County the finalists in front of a record crowd.

The game itself was hardly a classic; a scrappy goal from Ji So-Yun settled proceedings, and Eni Aluko turned in a player of the match performance as Chelsea won 1-0.

But seeing a female team walk up the hallowed Wembley steps for the first time was a moment of footballing history, and fittingly it was pioneer Katie Chapman who got to lift the trophy.


Dan Carter Stunner and Kelly Smith Masterclass (2016)

Dan Carter produced a moment of magic worthy of winning any cup final to guide Arsenal to a 1-0 victory over Chelsea in 2016.

The Arsenal forward teased full-back Hannah Blundell, before cutting inside and sending a curling effort past the outstretched arm of Hedvig Lindahl.

Kelly Smith, aged 37, produced a timeless display for the Gunners, oozing class and effortlessly picking out passes as she ran proceedings with a match winning performance.


Source: 90min