Chelsea Women: Five of the best matches from the 2022/2023 campaign

3. Chelsea v Manchester United, Women’s FA Cup

Date: May 14, 2023

Venue: Wembley Stadium

Result: 1-0 Chelsea

The first half was not the type of football that Hayes’ side had been producing in weeks prior. Marc Skinner’s Manchester United in their first trip to Wembley Stadium in club history were on the front foot for the entirety of the first 45 minutes. Ann-Katrin Berger pitched a clean sheet in the first half, coming up with some sensational saves from close range. The Red Devils’ inability to be clinical in front of the net opened the door for the experienced Blues on the big stage.

Once Harder and Sophie Ingle came onto the pitch in the 57′, the fixture shifted back into the west Londoners’ favor. The Danish international brough the defending FA Cup winners back to life, forcing Mary Earps into a save within the first few minutes of coming on.

The Blues’ No. 23 refused to be denied, making darting runs forward and pressing the United defense work, leaving a player like Kerr open in the penalty area. The match summed up what kind of team this was. Uncover ways to win no matter the quality of the performance itself.

The result is the only thing that matters, and while Skinners’ side executed their plan in the first half, Sam Kerr would put the match to bed with her fifth goal at Wembley so far in her career in London. The defeat in the other domestic cup competition against Arsenal a few months ago only fueled this club in its attempt to secure its third successive FA Cup trophy.

It is difficult to leave out a cup final in a list of the top-five matches of any club’s season. This one was special in its own way as Kerr’s clutch gene once again came through to deny the Red Devils’ first major trophy in club history.