Aggie Beever-Jones’ late winner booked Chelsea a slot in the FA Cup final as they beat Liverpool 2-1 on Saturday.
The 21-year-old fired a 95th-minute strike to undo Liverpool’s spirited defence, booking Chelsea’s ticket to the FA Cup final after a 2-1 win for the Blues at Kingsmeadow.
Chelsea dominated possession in the early stages, but failed to put Liverpool’s Rachel Laws to the test. Their profligacy was punished as Liverpool Marie Hobinger dissected the Chelsea defence with a beautifully weighted through ball, setting up star winger Olivia Smith to calmly slot home.
The goal was a pump to the nerves for Liverpool as the Reds frustrated the quadruple-chasers, harrying the Blues midfield out of possession and looking to unleash Smith in attack.
Just as Chelsea appeared to be getting terminally frustrated, they found the equaliser. Sandy Baltimore popped up on the right hand side and centred the ball. A defensive error in the goal area as the ball fell for Erin Cuthbert to turn a looping finish past a flailing Laws.
After a back-and-forth opening to the second half, the game entered a familiar pattern. Chelsea dominated the ball, but were met by a steadfast Liverpool block. Chances fell to Beever-Jones and Wieke Kaptein, but neither could convert, as the game seemed destined for extra time. In the 95th minute, Baltimore stood a teasing cross into the Liverpool box, which Beever-Jones duly nodded home, sending the Blues to the final.
The Blues will return to action on Sunday when they take on Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League Semi-final clash.
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