3 takeaways as Chelsea Women hoist third-straight FA Cup with win over Man United

2. Adjustment and taking advantage of missed opportunities

Nothing about the first half was anything like what the west London outfit has managed to produce in the last two matches. Skinner’s side controlled the contest, asking questions of the Blues’ backline, especially Ann-Katrin Berger between the sticks. Berger was required to make an extraordinary save in the first 45 minutes, adjusting to deflect a ball that changed its path mid-air to keep the opposition off the scoresheet.

There was even some controversy that Niamh Charles fouled Nikita Parris inside of the box instead of what the referee originally called. There was no review and it has to be said like the majority of the first half that the west London outfit got away with one. Hayes knew that the opponent was the better team in the first 45 minutes, and did not want to endure another half like that as United continued to get closer and closer to finding the back of the net.

Within the first three minutes of the second 45, the Blues connected passes in the final third with much more ease than before. After Man U created another flurry of chances, Hayes turned to her reinforcements in the 57′, bringing on Danish star Harder, and Welsh international captain Sophie Ingle to stabilize things in the middle of the park. The Dane collected a shot on target within the first two minutes of coming on, bringing life back into the Blues.

With Kerr up top, Guro Reiten on the left wing, Lauren James on the right, and Harder playing what looked to be in the No. 10 role, the Red Devils now had their hands full defending with more than 30 minutes left to play. It was not just the play in the second half leading up to the goal, but the composure and ability to keep control of play with a one goal lead under this kind of pressure for an extended period of time was something special. Sometimes your opponent makes mistakes. In one of the biggest games of the year, Hayes made certain that they were going to punish United for not taking any of the opportunities they were given in the first half.