3 Takeaways from Chelsea’s FA Cup triumph over Reading

Coming off the back of the win over Manchester United in the WSL, and on the heels of Lyon in the Champions League, the Chelsea Women cruised past Reading and into the semifinals of the FA Cup.

Rotation was the name of the game for CFCW on the road in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup. Without Sam Kerr in the starting XI for the first time since the end of October, the Blues still managed to cause the Reading backline all sort of issues. Seeing Emma Hayes’ side net three goals without Kerr coming into the match at all is a positive sign as the season heads into the final few months.

Not only did the side have the opportunity to provide Kerr, and Lauren James with an entire day of rest, but four academy players saw the senior pitch, including three who stepped foot on it for the first time on Sunday afternoon. The Royals found the target just twice as the Blues back three anchored by the Swedish shot-stopper Zecira Musovic cleaned things up for the most part. As Hayes said post game, “we made changes, and every adapted”. That is a mark of a special team. Niamh Charles has played in the backline for the most of the season, but was given a role up front along with a red-hot Guro Reiten in which caused Kelly Chambers’ side loads of issues.