The Women’s FA Cup fourth round took place over the weekend, with plenty of routine wins as well as some shock results. Here are the top five highlights from this weekend’s fixtures...
KERR BAGS A HAT-TRICK AGAINST LIVERPOOL: Chelsea 3-2 Liverpool
Embed from Getty ImagesSam Kerr is in top form for WSL leaders Chelsea, and her hat-trick against Liverpool secured Emma Hayes’ side a place in the fifth round.
The Australian forward took her tally to six goals in her last three games, while Gemma Bonner scored in the 85th minute to haul Matt Beard’s side within one goal of the Blues and leave the fixture on a knife edge, but Chelsea held on to progress.
BIRMINGHAM CITY SHOCK WSL SIDE EVERTON: Everton 0-1 Birmingham City
Embed from Getty ImagesIt was not a day to be a fan of the Merseyside clubs as Everton joined Liverpool in being knocked out of the FA Cup.
Championship side Birmingham City shocked the Toffees as Jade Pinnock’s strike just after the hour mark sent the Blues into the next round.
Birmingham goalkeeper Lucy Thomas was in inspired form for the visitors as she pulled off numerous saves to keep the WSL side at bay.
GOALS GALORE FOR ARSENAL AGAINST LEEDS: Arsenal 9-0 Leeds
Embed from Getty ImagesJonas Eidevall’s side breezed past National League Division One North side Leeds United 9-0.
The Gunners ran away with the tie, scoring six second-half goals as the Lilywhites failed to muster a single shot during the match.
Caitlin Foord got the ball rolling for the Gunners, with the rout being finished off by Victoria Pelova, who notched her first goal for the club to make it job done for Eidevall’s much changed side, who will face Chelsea in the fifth round.
SPURS HIT FIVE AGAINST LONDON CITY: Tottenham 5-0 London City
Embed from Getty ImagesTottenham secured their passage into the fifth round with a comfortable 5-0 win over London City Lionesses.
Bethany England started the scoring for Spurs in the 11th minute, and the hosts never looked back.
Second tier leaders London City’s build-up had been disrupted after manager Melissa Phillips left her role for Angel City FC in the USA.
Rehanne Skinner’s side advance to face Reading in the next round.
PARRIS AT THE DOUBLE TO SEND UNITED THROUGH TO FIFTH ROUND: Sunderland 1-2 Manchester United
Embed from Getty ImagesNikita Parris’ brace ensured Manchester United avoided a cup scare as they saw off second division side Sunderland in front of what was a record home crowd for the hosts.
The visitors struggled to deal with the physicality of the Lady Black Cats, who appeared buoyed by the support.
But despite the manner of the occasion and the difficult playing surface, it was a dominant performance from the Red Devils’ Parris, who scored two goals either side of an Abby Holmes strike for the hosts midway through the second half.
And United held on to set up a fifth round tie against Durham.
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