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Kerr shows way for Chelsea after difficult time
It has not been the easiest season for Sam Kerr. After missing 20 months with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, she has had her time limited to just a handful of starts across all competition – mainly the cups. She may not have scored the winner that sent Chelsea through to the Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals but her goal that gave the Blues the lead against Manchester United felt almost inevitable. Within six minutes of entering the pitch, the Australian produced an instinctive finish that will have gone some way to quieten questions about whether she could rediscover her top form. “It’s been a bit tough with many things, like not getting the minutes she wanted,” Sonia Bompastor said. “It was also a bit difficult emotionally with the decisions that have been made. [Today] will have been great for her confidence and I know she will be ready for the business end of the season.” Sophie Downey
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Match report: Chelsea 2-1 Manchester United
Keeper Eligon does amateur Chats proud
The Chatham Town goalkeeper Simone Eligon had only recently been given the all-clear to return from concussion but was the lower-league side’s player of the match as she prevented Birmingham from recording at least a double-figure winning margin. Eligon, a Trinidad and Tobago international, made nine saves, as she did her best to keep the full-time side at bay before the Chats eventually succumbed to an 8-0 defeat. A full-time youth worker, she has previously played for Millwall Lionesses and Chelsea Under-21s. Chatham’s manager, Keith Boanas, said of Eligon: “She hadn’t played a competitive game for three of four weeks. She only trained on Tuesday and Thursday. I’ve always known her capabilities. She’s an excellent keeper and probably deserves to be playing at a higher level.” Tom Garry
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Match report: Birmingham 8-0 Chatham Town
Charlton breathe a sigh of relief
The WSL 2 leaders, Charlton, narrowly escaped with a victory over third-tier Oxford United, and needed the cavalry to come to their aid in the second half from the bench, after making 10 changes to their starting lineup and struggling to break down their hosts. Only a Lucy Fitzgerald penalty, with just under 15 minutes to go, sent the professional side through, as Oxford’s Grace Palmer was sent off. It means there will be no clubs from outside the top 14 in the pyramid contesting the quarter-finals, as no teams positioned lower than the promotion-chasing duo of Charlton and Birmingham have made it this far, with the cup once again devoid of shocks this season. TG
Resurgence continues for revamped Liverpool
Liverpool are looking like a side completely transformed since their January recruitment drive as Gareth Taylor’s team recorded their fourth win in six games in all competitions by knocking their neighbours Everton out of the Cup. Liverpool were Cup semi-finalists last term but another good run had looked unlikely when they were languishing at the foot of the WSL table without a league win prior to the turn of the year. Denise O’Sullivan, one of Liverpool’s six January signings, helped them dominate the midfield on Sunday and deservedly win 2-1 at St Helens. They had more shots on target (eight) in one game than they managed across all of their matches in December combined. TG
Little is more as Arsenal progress
Kim Little continued to prove that class is permanent as she led Arsenal to a 3-0 win over Bristol City. Little opened the scoring for the Gunners with a finish from close range into the top-left corner. It was her second goal in as many FA Cup appearances this season and her third goal contribution. It came nine days after she hit a landmark 400 appearances for Arsenal. Little firmly established herself as a club legend by lifting the Champions League trophy last season, but she continues to showcase her importance at the age of 35 – and in the heart of midfield – as the Gunners chase more silverware. Reflecting on the win and the performance, the Arsenal head coach, Renée Slegers, said: “It’s the consistency of small good actions and behaviours both on and off the pitch, which has been on a really high level. And then I think whatever the circumstances, whatever the conditions, and with the quality that we have, we can win games with that foundation. So that’s been amazing.” Emillia Hawkins
Hemp and Beney’s partnership steals the show
Manchester City dispatched Sheffield United with ease, in a 4-0 win, as the league leaders progressed to the quarter-finals. It was the Lauren Hemp and Iman Beney show at the Joie Stadium, as they both ran riot on the wings. Hemp linked up twice with Beney for two identical goals, right-footed shots into the bottom corner. The English-and-Swiss duo used the width of the pitch to do some serious damage to the scoreline inside 15 minutes and leave the Blades defence scrambling. “She’s on such a good level,” Andrée Jeglertz said of Hemp. “She’s been performing well for us ever since she came back from injury.” It was City’s mastery on the wings that got the job done and the manager added: “We have great players who play on the wings. Iman is coming in and doing it in a very good way.” Renuka Odedra
Kirby’s return gives Brighton cutting edge
Fran Kirby marked her return from injury by immediately reminding Brighton what they have been missing. The former England international, who had not featured since mid-January, scored inside six minutes, and later set up Kiko Seike as Brighton secured a 2-1 victory at West Ham. Beyond the goal and assist, the fluency she brought to the attack allowed Brighton to control the opening stages of the game and establish a two-goal lead. The head coach, Dario Vidosic, said his team “stood up to the challenge and deserve to be in the next round”. Now into the quarter-finals, if Brighton are to progress further in the competition, it seems Kirby staying fit will be vital. Réshma Rao
