Chelsea score late winner against Liverpool to book FA Cup final spot

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Chelsea snatch late victory against Liverpool

Aggie Beever-Jones scores a 94th winner to secure a 2-1 win over Liverpool and a place in the FA Cup final.


Aggie Beever-Jones scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner on Saturday that put Chelsea into the FA Cup final and kept their quadruple hopes alive.

On a sunny day at Kingsmeadow, the hosts made a bright start but fell behind through a smart Olivia Smith finish before Erin Cuthbert drew them level near the break.

It was one-way traffic in the second-half and Chelsea's characteristc resolve bore fruit in the fifth minute of injury time, when Beever-Jones headed home to secure a trip to Wembley next month. It capped off a remarkable few days for Beever-Jones, who scored her first goal for England in the recent international break.

The win should serve as the perfect springboard for Chelsea ahead of a grueling week that sees them host Crystal Palace in the Women's Super League (WSL) on Wednesday before traveling to Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal on the weekend.

The runaway WSL leaders have already won one cup competition this season, and will back themselves to do the same at Wembley next month where they will face either Manchester United or Manchester City.

Aggie Beever-Jones scored late on to secure Chelsea's spot in the FA Cup final.
Getty

Liverpool took the lead against the run of play in the 21st minute after a defence-splitting Marie Hobinger through-ball split saw Smith hold off Millie Bright for a stunning finish into the bottom corner. It was her eighth goal of the season, and further boosted her credentials as one of the most exciting forwards in England.

Smith's goal imbued Liverpool with confidence and they went close to finding a second soon-after though Hobinger, who drew a sharp save from Hannah Hampton.

Chelsea were on the backfoot but didn't wilt under the pressure and Sandy Baltimore, arguably one of Chelsea's best players this season, broke down the right and her attempted cross was redirected to Cuthbert, who adroitly slotted home off the post.

Liverpool showed spirit in their performance on Saturday but sitting back for 45 minutes -- as they did in the second half -- is asking a lot of the backline. Chelsea relentlessly probed for a goal, amassing 24 shots compared to Liverpool's six.

However, the visitors nearly snatched victory in the last minute of normal time, when captain Taylor Hinds' attempted cross caught Hampton off guard and hit the crossbar.

Minutes later, Chelsea found their winner. Beever-Jones, who looked Chelsea's potent force on the afternoon, headed home a Baltimore cross in the 95th minute to keep the Chelsea bandwagon rolling along.