Emma Hayes’ team dominated at Kingsmeadow with two goals from Bethany England helping them to victory over the Women’s Super League’s bottom side
In the end, it was a comfortable afternoon for Chelsea on Sunday as they strolled into the last four of the Women’s FA Cup.
Chelsea started the stronger team but Birmingham were able to keep them at bay for the majority of the first half. Chances came to Ji So-yun and Millie Bright for Chelsea, but Birmingham were able to dig themselves out of trouble with goalkeeper Marie Hourihan being kept busy in the Birmingham net.
It was just on the stroke of half-time that Chelsea finally broke the deadlock thanks to captain Magdalena Eriksson, who only came back a couple of weeks ago after being out with an injury for two months, spoiling Birmingham hopes of getting through the first 45 minutes without conceeding.
However, it was to go from bad to worse for the WSL’s bottom side in the second half as Drew Spence, Bethany England and Niamh Charles all scored in the space of just over ten minutes to put real daylight between the two teams. England’s goal in particular was one for the Chelsea faithful to savour, a delightful backheel from Spence in the box setting the goal up.
England got her second of the game with about eighteen minutes to go, as Chelsea continued to pile on the pressure. She had opportunities to get a hat-trick late on too, while Birmingham regrouped and looked for a consolation, forward Veatriki Sarri particularly impressing. Ultimately, however, it wasn’t their day, and their attention is set to turn on the league table in their bid to avoid relegation.
For Chelsea, it’s just the latest win in an impressive season that could see them once again get the league and cup double. They enter the semi-finals of the Women’s FA Cup, in which they’ll be joined by Arsenal, Manchester City, and West Ham United.
