Player ratings as Red Devils reach Women’s FA Cup final

From Leigh Sports Village – Manchester United are through to the Women’s FA Cup final for the first time after a late goal from cult favourite Rachel Williams sealed a narrow 3-2 win over Brighton.

The Seagulls had taken a surprise first half lead through a Mary Earps own goal. Strikes from Leah Galton and Alessia Russo appeared to have put the hosts on course to win, until Danielle Carter equalised off the bench. But Williams, as she did against Reading in the WSL earlier this season, won it with only minutes remaining to send her team to Wembley.

United dominated the ball from the start, but Brighton began with an energy that showed their determination not to make it easy following the 4-0 drubbing the WSL leaders had dished out when the two met in the league only two weeks ago.

The hosts had early half chances, with Ella Toone blazing over inside the box and a breakdown in communication between Toone and Garcia at the vital moment seeing an opportunity go begging. Yet it also took a Maya Le Tissier intervention at the other to ensure a Katie Robinson cross on the counter wasn’t more dangerous than it was.

Brighton grew with confidence as the half progressed and looked a particular threat on the break due to Robinson’s pace and directness. A few Millie Turner clearances were necessary. But United continued to flex their own muscles and forced Lydia Williams into a few saves from Russo, Galton and Ona Batlle, the best to deny Russo with a tip over the bar.

The visitors were soon grateful for those saves when Veatriki Sarri ran at Batlle down their left flank and crossed dangerously into the box. In trying to punch clear, Earps inadvertently deflected the ball into the net instead. United tried to hit back immediately, but a good Russo chance trickled agonisingly past the far post, while Garcia struck one straight at Williams.

Back on the pitch for the second half noticeably before Brighton, United made a rapid start and equalised within two minutes of the restart. Batlle surged forward from deep and found Galton, who had drifted into the box, for a first-time finish. It was then only moments later when Toone narrowly put a shot too high.

Brighton’s threat was still clear when Julia Zigiotti Olme unleashed a screamer from outside the box, allowing Earps to redeem herself with a spectacular world class save.

United deservingly took the lead for the first time when Russo, whose press had contributed to winning the ball back, was fed by a perfect Katie…