Chelsea beat Manchester United 3-0 to win the Women’s FA Cup and complete an unbeaten treble under Sonia Bompastor.
Sandy Baltimore scored twice and Catarina Macario adding a thumping header settled the final at Wembley as the Blues reclaimed the FA Cup from holders United.
Manchester United manager Marc Skinner opted to drop Ella Toone to the bench as midfielder Dominique Janssen fired over the bar early on.
But Chelsea took control of the final and were awarded a penalty when Erin Cuthbert was fouled by Celin Bizet, with Baltimore finishing well from the spot.
Toone came on at half-time to shoot straight at Hannah Hampton but it was Macario who made the decisive impact off the bench to head in Baltimore’s free-kick.
Baltimore scored her second in the first minute of stoppage time, turning in from close range to add gloss to the scoreline.
Chelsea have now won the domestic treble for the second time but have completed an unbeaten domestic season for the time in Bompastor’s first season in charge.
Women's FA Cup final LIVE: Chelsea vs Man Utd
- Chelsea beat Man Utd to win FA Cup and complete domestic treble
- 90+1 GOAL! Baltimore grabs a brace to wrap up domestic treble [CHE 3-0 MUN]
- 84' GOAL! Macario doubles the lead with powerful header [CHE 2-0 MUN]
- 45' GOAL! Baltimore converts from the spot to give Chelsea the lead [CHE 1-0 MUN]
- 43' PENALTY! Bizet brings down Cuthbert in the box [CHE 0-0 MUN]
- 19' CLOSE! Janssen blasts over from just outside the box [CHE 0-0 MUN]
CHELSEA WIN THE WOMEN'S FA CUP!
15:57 , Chris Wilson
CHELSEA WIN THE WOMEN'S FA CUP!
15:53 , Chris WilsonChelsea are walking up the famous Wembley steps to collect the trophy now. It’ll be Millie Bright to lift it.
Chelsea are the winners of the 2025 Women’s FA Cup!
CHELSEA WIN THE WOMEN'S FA CUP!
15:50 , Chris WilsonPlenty of praise for Chelsea from the punditry team, with Ellen White saying: “We were thinking would they need a transition period, would it take years for her [Bompastor] to put her stamp on this team?
“What they've achieved this season is phenomenal. Everything's come together in her first season. Winning the treble and going unbeaten is extraordinary.”
CHELSEA WIN THE WOMEN'S FA CUP!
15:45 , Chris WilsonUnited’s players are receiving their runners-up medals now.
CHELSEA WIN THE WOMEN'S FA CUP!
15:37A deserved win for Sonia Bompastor’s all-conquering team.
An undefeated domestic treble for Chelsea!
A solid performance from the Blues at Wembley, with a dominant display from minute 15 or so onwards.
CHELSEA WIN THE WOMEN'S FA CUP!
15:33 , Chris WilsonThe final whistle goes and Chelsea wrap up an undefeated domestic treble!
Chelsea 3-0 Man Utd
15:32 , Chris Wilson90 +9 mins
Seconds away now...
Chelsea 3-0 Man Utd
15:32 , Chris Wilson90 +8 mins
So close to four for Chelsea but the flag goes up after some great combinations, before United counter and the flag goes up again just after Terland fires over.
Chelsea 3-0 Man Utd
15:29 , Chris Wilson90 +6 mins
Chelsea are really enjoying themselves out there now, and United look depleted.
Chelsea 3-0 Man Utd
15:26 , Chris Wilson90 +3 mins
Three changes for Chelsea as Baltimore, Bronze and Cuthbert come on for Guro Reiten, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Sjoeke Nusken.
There were 10 minutes added on at the end of the 90.
GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Man Utd
15:25 , Chris Wilson90 +1 mins
GOAL! And that will definitely be that!
It’s a second goal for Baltimore, and it’s very well-taken.
Galton plays a poor pass back and Kaptein latches onto it, putting in an early cross that lands kindly for Baltimore. She’s only a few yards out as it bounces up, and she rifles past Tullis-Joyce for 3-0.
Chelsea 2-0 Man Utd
15:22 , Chris Wilson89 mins
More skilful play from both Macario and Baltimore to create a chance for Chelsea, but nobody can get onto the end of Charles’ cross.
Moments after, Baltimore is booked for dragging back Malard.
Chelsea 2-0 Man Utd
15:21 , Chris Wilson88 mins
It’s United piling on the pressure now but they just can't find that final ball, as Malard is dispossessed before Hampton collects well.
Chelsea 2-0 Man Utd
15:19 , Chris Wilson86 mins
Lovely play from Chelsea as Macario skips away from the challenge brilliantly before swinging in the cross. Baltimore brings it down and lays it off to Kaptein, but the shot is well over.
GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Man Utd
15:1884 mins
GOAL! And that should be that, a domestic treble wrapped up!
Chelsea win a free-kick on the right and Baltimore swings in a brilliant delivery. Macario has found her way between the two defenders and she powers a header past the ‘keeper for 2-0!
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
15:15 , Chris Wilson82 mins
Cheers as an attendance of well over 74,000 is announced at Wembley.
Moments after, Chelsea have a chance to wrap it up as Kaptein pulls it back from Macario’s through ball, but the strike isn’t hit cleanly.
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
15:14 , Chris Wilson80 mins
Plenty of decent possession from both sides, but not a lot of chances in the last few minutes. Chelsea are knocking it around nicely though, happy to wind down the clock.
United make their final roll of the dice as Rachel Williams and Lisa Naalsund come on for Miyazawa and Bizet.
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
15:11 , Chris Wilson77 mins
A promising opening for United as Terland heads down for Toone and Galton makes the overlapping run, but there’s too much on the pass.
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
15:0875 mins
Another change for Chelsea as Beever-Jones comes off for Wieke Kaptein.
For United, George makes way for Anna Sandberg.
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
15:06 , Chris Wilson74 mins
Chelsea are dominating once more but there’s more space for United than there was in the first half.
The Blues work a chance after a great backheel from Baltimore almost releases Beever-Jones in the box, but George is there to slide in.
Bronze is okay to carry on, too.
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
15:04 , Chris Wilson72 mins
A yellow for George now as she goes flying in late on Beever-Jones.
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
15:03 , Chris Wilson71 mins
United fans want a penalty as Hampton brought down Terland, but the ‘keeper got enough on it.
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
15:03 , Chris Wilson69 mins
Bronze has stayed down briefly, and during the break in play United brought on Melvine Malard for Mannion.
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
15:01 , Chris Wilson67 mins
Play as fully resumed now, with both teams trying to get settled again.
Chelsea have had a couple of decent chances with some great deliveries into the box, with Beever-Jones and Bronze both coming close in the last couple of minutes.
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
14:58 , Chris Wilson64 mins
After quite an extended period of treatment, it looks like Galton is okay to carry on.
And immediately after there’s almost an own goal!
The cross comes in from the left and Gabby George goes to put it behind, almost turning it into her own net!
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
14:54 , Chris Wilson61 mins
A break in play as Bronze brings down Galton and the United player has stayed down.
Chelsea make a change as Ramirez is replaced by Catarina Macario.
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
14:51 , Chris Wilson59 mins
Better from United again but still nothing clear-cut, as George’s cross is collected by Hampton. More pressure from the holders at this point, though, and Chelsea aren’t having it all their own way.
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
14:48 , Chris Wilson56 mins
A lovely turn from Clinton in the middle and now it’s Cuthbert who gets a booking as she brings down the United number eight.
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
14:46 , Chris Wilson54 mins
Clinton is the second in the book as she brings down Cuthbert.
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
14:45 , Chris Wilson53 mins
What a goal this would’ve been.
Mannion and Bizet combine down the right and the latter fires in a great cross that arrives at the feet of Toone, who directs a lovely volley on target but too close to Hampton.
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
14:44 , Chris Wilson51 mins
A lovely nutmeg from Bronze and Galton brings her down, as she receives the first yellow of the day.
It’s a free-kick in a dangerous area on the wing, and Baltimore fires in a great post that Charles can only head wide at the back post.
United counter quickly and Galton plays it in to Terland, but Girma makes a great recovery to clear.
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
14:41 , Chris Wilson48 mins
A better start to the half for United, who win possession in the Chelsea half before Bright concedes a free-kick in a dangerous area.
United take it short and it’s wasteful, as Bizet’s cross is blocked.
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
14:39 , Chris Wilson46 mins
Toone’s first touches see an inviting cross cleared before a follow-up from Mannion is headed right at Hampton by Terland.
KICK-OFF! Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
14:38 , Chris WilsonWe’re back underway at Wembley!
A sub to report too, as Millie Turner comes off for Ella Toone for United.
HALF-TIME! Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
14:37 , Chris WilsonBoth sides back out for the second half now.
HALF-TIME! Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
14:34 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
14:27 , Chris WilsonA decent half for the neutral too, but from here it looks like Chelsea will continue to dominate at Wembley.
What have United got to try and disrupt the treble-chasing side?
HALF-TIME! Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
14:2345 +5 mins
United have a half-chance to get back into with a dangerous cross in, but Clinton is penalised for the foul and the referee blows the whistle soon after.
A dominant half for the Blues and they take a deserved lead into the break.
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
14:2045 +3 mins
More pressure from the leaders, and United can’t mount a counter-attack despite some space opening up.
Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
14:18 , Chris Wilson45 +2 mins
There’ll be five minutes of added time here. How will United respond?
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
14:17 , Chris Wilson45 mins
Baltimore steps up for the spot-kick, and she sends Tullis-Joyce the wrong way as she side-foots into the net!
A deserved lead for the treble-chasers.
PENALTY TO CHELSEA! Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
14:1542 mins
An easy decision.
The cross from the corner is headed away and Cuthbert brings it down on the edge of the box. As she gets into the area, Bizet tries to win the ball with a foot across the body, but she brings the Chelsea player down and it’s a clear foul.
Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
14:12 , Chris Wilson40 mins
Not too many clear-cut chances for either side in this half, but Chelsea have had the better of it since the opening 20 and they end the half still piling on the pressure.
Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
14:10 , Chris Wilson38 mins
A lovely chipped through ball from Clinton sees Bizet go down in the box under pressure, but the decision is given the other way. Hard to tell why, in truth, as it didn’t look like a handball, so maybe offside?
Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
14:09 , Chris Wilson37 mins
A half-chance for Chelsea as Beever-Jones receives it on the turn and tries to curl an effort into the far corner, but Tullis-Joyce is equal to it.
Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
14:08 , Chris Wilson36 mins
A United free-kick ends in a promising Chelsea counter, though it’s great work from Le Tissier to come across to the left and snuff out the danger presented by Beever-Jones.
Chelsea win a corner as Walsh makes a good overlapping run and sees her cross deflected behind, but nothing comes of the set-piece.
Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
14:05 , Chris Wilson33 mins
We may see some subs here early on as Millie Turner is also receiving treatment...
Not yet, as both seem fine to carry on.
Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
14:03 , Chris Wilson31 mins
There’s been a brief break in play over the last few minutes as Bizet is down receiving treatment.
Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
14:02 , Chris Wilson29 mins
Some good last-ditch defending from United now as Chelsea continue to attack well, with a couple of crosses requiring some vital headers at the back post to take it off the foot of an attacker. Bronze and Beever-Jones are dovetailing particularly well, down the Chelsea right.
Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
14:00 , Chris Wilson27 mins
More pressure from Chelsea, and they’re beginning to dominate the ball now.
Baltimore shows the first sign of what she can do as she turns away from a challenge brilliantly before surging into the box, but she can only drag the shot wide of the far post.
Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
13:56 , Chris Wilson24 mins
United under pressure now as Chelsea win a corner, but it’s more good ‘keeping from Tullis-Joyce before the follow-up cross goes out of play.
Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
13:54 , Chris Wilson21 mins
CLOSE! A lovely touch from Ramirez lets her skip past Le Tissier. She races into the box but rather than shoot she tries to square it to Beever-Jones, and there’s a mix-up before Tullis-Joyce makes the save and somehow punches away.
Watching this match, it’s clear how both matches between these two finished just 1-0. It’s very close out there so far.
Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
13:51 , Chris Wilson19 mins
CLOSE! The first real chance for United. There’s some pinball in midfield and the through ball is played to Bizet on the wing. The cross is a decent one and it’s turned into the path of Janssen on the edge of the box, but despite a good connection she can only fire over the bar.
Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
13:48 , Chris Wilson17 mins
Lovely touch from Beever-Jones as she knocks it past the defender before racing into the box. There’s time for the defender to recover and the shot is deflected to Tullis-Joyce, who makes the save easily enough.
A warning sign for United.
Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
13:47 , Chris Wilson15 mins
Plenty of heavy challenges flying in in the opening 15, with Gabby George in particular having plenty to defend down the United left.
Chelsea get behind the United defence for the first time but the cross from Beever-Jones doesn't find a teammate this time.
Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
13:44 , Chris Wilson12 mins
Still not quite clicking in attack for Chelsea, but they’re managing to keep possession far better now, and they’re winning it back from United quicker too.
Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
13:41 , Chris Wilson9 mins
Chelsea have their first foray up the pitch but there’s a little disconnect between the forwards, despite some good work from Beever-Jones.
Moments later, Ramirez fires in a cross that has too much on it for Bronze.
Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
13:38 , Chris Wilson7 mins
More good work from Clinton as she wins a foul off Cuthbert right on the left-hand edge the box.
From the set-piece, Le Tissier goes near-post but Girma does well to turn it behind, and the chance goes begging from the corner.
Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
13:36 , Chris Wilson5 mins
A reminder that United are looking to retain the trophy they won last season, while Chelsea are on track for a domestic treble.
It’s United who’ve had the better of these early stages at Wembley though, as Clinton has a shot from within the box that’s deflected behind.
Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
13:34 , Chris Wilson3 mins
Some great hold-up play from Ramirez but the through ball is mistimed.
Both sides just looking to settle into it at the moment.
Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
13:33 , Chris Wilson2 mins
Not a bad start from United as Bizet wins it well midway into the Chelsea half, before George floats in a decent cross that is just a tad overhit.
KICK-OFF! Chelsea 0-0 Man Utd
13:31 , Chris WilsonWe’re underway in the Women’s FA Cup final!
Women's FA Cup final LIVE: Chelsea vs Man Utd
13:25 , Chris WilsonBoth sides are out on the pitch now, and we’ll be underway soon at Wembley.
Women's FA Cup final LIVE: Chelsea vs Man Utd
13:20 , Chris WilsonA reminder of the recent results between these two sides as we approach kick-off.
Chelsea won both league meetings 1-0 this season, and overall have only lost to United once in their respective histories – a 2-1 loss in the semi-final of this competition in 2024.
The signs are certainly pointing one way ahead of kick-off...
VAR and goal-line technology in use at Wembley
13:15 , Jamie BraidwoodGoal line technology will be in use at Wembley while VAR will be in use for the third time in an Women’s FA Cup final.
If the match is drawn after 90 minutes, an extra 30 minutes must be played, with 15 minutes in each half. If the match is still drawn after extra-time, the winner shall be determined by the taking of penalty kicks.
The referee is Stacey Fullicks while the VAR is Peter Bankes.
Women's FA Cup final
13:10 , Chris Wilson
Women's FA Cup final: Chelsea and Man Utd meet again at Wembley
13:05 , Jamie BraidwoodHaving beat Manchester City 2-1 in this season’s League Cup final back in March, Chelsea are be aiming to be the first team to win both domestic cups in the same campaign since the Blues themselves won the treble in 2020-21.
Manchester United won their first ever Women’s FA Cup last season and will be looking to become the first team to win their inaugural trophy in the competition and successfully defend it the very next campaign since Fulham in 2001 and 2002.
This will be third Women’s FA Cup meeting between Chelsea and Manchester United, with the Blues winning 1-0 in the 2023 final before the Red Devils got revenge in last season’s semi-final, winning 2-1
FA Cup final: Score to settle on both sides
12:56 , Jamie BraidwoodManchester United have only beaten Chelsea once, with last year’s FA Cup semi-final denying Hayes and her side a shot at the double, but United have built up a series of painful defeats to them, including a 6-0 at Old Trafford and in the 2023 FA Cup final, where Marc Skinner’s side were the better team but lost to Sam Kerr’s only goal. That season, United finished just two points behind champions Chelsea in the WSL and an edgy rivalry was developing.
But the points gap over the last two years has been 20 and 16, and it would take a big leap from United or a dramatic fall-off from Chelsea for them to be in the title hunt again next season.
The FA Cup, though, comes down to one game, and a United side with a goalkeeper as good as Phallon Tullis-Joyce, a big-game player like Ella Toone and a goalscorer like Elisabeth Terland means they have to believe that anything is possible on the day.
Huge shock as Ella Toone benched for the FA Cup final
12:54 , Jamie BraidwoodElla Toone is a big game player for Manchester United and England, having scored in last season’s FA Cup final at Wembley and famously in the Euro 2022 final.
But the midfielder starts on the bench against Chelsea in a huge call by Manchester United manager Marc Skinner.
Sonia Bompastor sticks with the same 3-4-3 formation that didn’t work against Liverpool last weekend.
Her big decision is benching both Sjoeke Nusken and Wieke Kaptein, with Erin Cuthbert and Keira Walsh named as the midfield two.
Interview: How Chelsea’s ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ found her strength
12:45 , Jamie BraidwoodThe word “invincible” has different meanings for different people. For most at Chelsea, though, it is completing an unbeaten domestic season by winning the treble at Wembley, in the Women’s FA Cup final on Sunday. For Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, the club’s speedy, direct winger, the feeling of “invincibility” is a little like controlling the main character in a video game, whirring through levels in a blue flash and dodging enemies in the pursuit of golden rings. A bit like Sonic the Hedgehog.
For Rytting Kaneryd, there has been an extra incentive behind their return to Wembley. Two years ago, when Chelsea beat United 1-0, she was an unused substitute. When Sam Kerr put Chelsea ahead late on, Hayes turned to defenders to see out their lead. Rytting Kaneryd had featured in most of Chelsea’s season, her first at the club, but not the FA Cup final.
It hurt, of course it did. “I really want to play but at the same time you can’t put your own emotions before the team,” Rytting Kaneryd says. But she can reflect on how she used that disappointment to become a key part of Chelsea’s success.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd: How Chelsea’s ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ found her strength
Ella Toone on the bench for Women's FA Cup final
12:37 , Jamie BraidwoodWhat is the team news?
Sonia Bompastor goes with a 3-4-3, which she used in Chelsea’s final match of the Women’s Super League last weekend, while Millie Bright, Naomi Girma and Nathalie Bjorn in defence.
Chelsea will be without England star Lauren James due to a hamstring injury but Mayra Ramirez is fit to return and starts. Sam Kerr remains out, having not featured at all this season due to injury.
Manchester United have dropped Ella Toone to the bench. With the exception of right back Jayde Riviere, Manchester United have a fully-fit squad for the final. Dominique Janssen is brought in for Toone to bolster their defensive midfield.
Confirmed line-ups
Chelsea XI: Hampton; Bronze, Bright, Girma, Bjorn, Charles; Walsh, Cuthbert; Beever-Jones, Ramirez, Baltimore
Man Utd: Tullis-Joyce; Mannion, Le Tissier, Turner, George; Miyazawa, Janssen, Clinton; Bizet, Terland, Galton
Line-ups
12:34 , Chris WilsonMan Utd XI: Tullis-Joyce, George, Le Tissier, Mannion, Clinton, Galton, Bizet, Janssen, Herland, Miyazawa, Turner.
Subs: Middleton-Patel, Rendell, Sandberg, Awujo, Naalsund, Toone, Griffiths, Malard, Williams.
Your #WomensFACup final Reds ❤️🔥
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) May 18, 2025
Let's retain that trophy 😤#MUWomen
Line-ups
12:32 , Chris WilsonChelsea XI: Hampton; Bronze, Bright, Bjorn, Gorma, Charles, Walsh, Cuthbert, Beever-Jones, Baltimore, Ramirez.
Subs: Spencer, Nusken, Macario, Reiten, Lawrence, Kaptein, Kaneryd, Hamano, Jean-Francois.
Your Chelsea XI for the final. 👊#CFCW pic.twitter.com/fr2ObLboqF
— (C)helsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) May 18, 2025
FA Cup final team news and line-ups
12:25 , Jamie BraidwoodShould be announced in the next few minutes...
Will Sir Jim Ratcliffe be at Wembley for the Women's FA Cup final?
12:20 , Jamie BraidwoodWinning the league, ultimately, is the target for Manchester United men’s and women’s teams in 2028 – under the umbrella of the club’s Project 150. But are United really committed to success on the women’s side? There will be a focus on whether Sir Jim Ratcliffe and senior figures in United’s football department, including CEO Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox, will be at Wembley after their notable absence from United’s historic Women’s FA Cup success last May.
“I don’t know who will be there,” Marc Skinner said on Friday. “But I have no doubt we’ll be well represented.”
Marc Skinner says Chelsea investment brings more pressure
12:05 , Jamie BraidwoodWhile Marc Skinner may be envious of the Chelsea’s spending power - with Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian this week purchasing a reported 10 per cent stake in the club for around £20m - he insisted that simply piles more pressure on Sonia Bompastor.
He said: "You are funding to win Champions League and go domestically unbeaten. Their task becomes harder in my opinion because they are going from they've got to achieve that 0.5 per cent, not one per cent, it is even smaller.
"For us what that does is, if you are a sports person, it just makes you compete better. The reality is you're not playing Chelsea every week.
"You play them in two events - or maybe three if it's FA Cup final - but if you can maximise those, you can beat them anyway because they are still human."
Marc Skinner urges 'rebel' Man Utd to upset Chelsea in final
11:50 , Jamie Braidwood"Rebel" Marc Skinner has challenged his Manchester United players to "go through hell" in their quest to retain the Women's FA Cup at the expense of Chelsea's invincibles.
He said: "Results-wise, Chelsea are the best team and the hardest team to come up against. If you know anything about us, we are rebels and we don't like just accepting this is the case.
"I am a rebel, my nature is rebellious so for me, it is about not accepting that just because they have the best resource, they have to be the best team on every occasion.
"When you set yourself up for that challenge and you know you will have to go through hell to get the victory, if you prepare for that, then I believe you can do something special.
"That is something we want to do and something I want this team to do. Of course I believe in our quality to deliver that."
Man Utd's route on return to Women's FA Cup final
11:35 , Jamie BraidwoodManchester United 7 West Brom 0 (fourth round, Jan 11)
Wolves 0 Manchester United 6 (fifth round, Feb 8)
Manchester United 3 Sunderland 1 (quarter-final, Mar 8)
Manchester City 0 Manchester United 2 (semi-final, Apr 13)
United surged into a two-goal lead against their derby rivals at the Joie Stadium.
Celin Bizet scored in the sixth minute before Grace Clinton struck in the 22nd.
Red Devils goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce then thwarted injury-hit City by making an impressive double save in the second half as she tipped Yui Hasegawa's free-kick against the crossbar before blocking Lily Murphy's follow-up.
Chelsea's route to Women's FA Cup final
11:20 , Jamie BraidwoodChelsea 4 Charlton 0 (fourth round, Jan 12)
Chelsea 4 Everton 1 (fifth round, Feb 9)
Chelsea 1 Crystal Palace 0 (quarter-finals, Mar 9)
Chelsea 2 Liverpool 1 (semi-finals, Apr 12)
Another closely-contested game followed as Chelsea needed a stoppage-time winner from Beever-Jones to book their spot in the final.
Bompastor's side dominated the opening stages and, although Liverpool took the lead in the 21st minute on the break through Olivia Smith's low finish, Erin Cuthbert levelled on the stroke of half-time.
Chelsea had multiple chances to score in the second half and, with the game seemingly destined for extra-time, Beever-Jones' late header sent her side to Wembley.
Serena Williams’ husband joins Chelsea Women board after £20m investment
11:11 , Jamie BraidwoodSonia Bompastor praised Alexis Ohanian’s investment in Chelsea’s women’s team this week, after the Reddit co-founder and husband of Serena Williams put £20m into the club for a reported 10 per cent stake.
"This investment is a game-changing endorsement for women's game but also for young girls," Bompastor said.
"It just shows we are in a really great place but we still want to be an even better team, better club, and we want to be one of the best teams in the world.
"That means results on the pitch, but also we want to be a model outside the pitch, we want to make sure that when young girls look at our team they just dream of being one of our players of the future."
Serena Williams’ husband joins Chelsea Women board after £20m investment
Sonia Bompastor believes Women's FA Cup final is '50-50'
10:55 , Jamie BraidwoodSonia Bompastor is attempting to win the FA Cup in her first season in charge, having won all four of her domestic finals as a manager with Lyon and Chelsea, but believes the Wembley showdown is “50-50”.
“The fact you can play in front of thousands of people at a historic stadium and win one of the most famous trophies in England, the FA Cup, is something that potentially only happens a few times in your life,” she said.
“I will be really proud for sure, really proud of my players, my staff, but this is a final. “We play Man United, a team which is used to playing in this final now and they are a really strong team.
“They haven’t conceded many goals and I think we need to be reminded of that as well. This final will be 50-50,” Bompastor added said.
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Chelsea's record against Manchester United
10:40 , Jamie BraidwoodChelsea are unbeaten this season domestically and have won both games against Manchester United 1-0, including the result that secured a sixth straight Women’s Super League title a few weeks ago.
Overall, Chelsea have won 13 of their last 15 meetings with Manchester United across all competitions (D1 L1), with the United losing more games since they became a WSL club in 2019-20 to the Blues (13) than any other opponent.
United’s only win against Chelsea came in the FA Cup semi-finals last season, which denied the Blues a shot at the double in Emma Hayes’ last season at the club.
Match preview: The FA Cup final won’t answer the biggest question around Manchester United
10:25 , Jamie BraidwoodThe road to Wembley has taken opposing paths for Sonia Bompastor and Marc Skinner. For Bompastor, her debut season in England as head coach at Chelsea could not have gone any smoother on the domestic front, as the champions seek to complete an unbeaten treble. For Manchester United and Skinner, a return to the Women’s FA Cup final for the holders is the latest step of a tumultuous journey for the manager in the dugout, but one that he continues to lead.
The question that will follow United – and which won’t be answered in Sunday’s Women’s FA Cup final – is how committed the club is to closing the gap to champions Chelsea. United could rise to the occasion at Wembley, as they did against Chelsea in last season’s FA Cup semi-finals, but it wouldn’t necessarily demonstrate they are ready to compete with Bompastor’s record-breaking side over 22 games.
The FA Cup final won’t answer the biggest question around Manchester United
Wembley sold-out for Women's FA Cup final
10:10 , Jamie BraidwoodThere is set to be a record-breaking crowd for the Women’s FA Cup final after Wembley said there are no tickets remaining for the match between Chelsea and Manchester United.
The 2023 final between Chelsea and Manchester United broke the attendance record with a crowd of 77,390 attending Chelsea’s 1-0 win.
Chelsea and United were given an allocation of 20,000 each for the 2025 final and the rest of the general tickets have been snapped up.
So the overall attendance could be closer to 90,000 - which would be a record for the competition and a women’s club fixture in England.
What is the team news?
10:04 , Jamie BraidwoodChelsea will be without England star Lauren James due to a hamstring injury but Mayra Ramirez is fit to return. Sam Kerr remains out, having not featured at all this season due to injury.
With the exception of right back Jayde Riviere, Manchester United have a fully-fit squad for the final.
Interestingly, both teams switched formations and played a back-three at the weekend, so there could a surprise or two again.
Predicted line-ups
Chelsea XI: Hampton; Bronze, Bright, Girma, Charles; Walsh, Nusken, Cuthbert; Beever-Jones, Ramirez, Baltimore
Man Utd: Tullis-Joyce; Mannion, Le Tissier, Turner, George; Miyazawa, Clinton; Bizet, Toone, Galton;Terland
Good morning
10:00 , Jamie BraidwoodHolders Manchester United face treble-chasing Chelsea in the Women’s FA Cup final.
United won their first major honour when they defeat Tottenham 4-0 to win the FA Cup last season, with Marc Skinner’s side also beating Chelsea in the semi-finals that year.
But the Blues have been as dominant as usual under Sonia Bompastor this season, going unbeaten in the Women’s Super League and also lifting the Women’s League Cup.
Victory over United at Wembley would complete an unprecedented unbeaten treble in Bompastor’s first year, with defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals the only disappointment.
United, though, will be playing in their third FA Cup final in a row and will have a score to settle with Chelsea after a 1-0 defeat to them in the 2023 Wembley showdown.
Kick-off time and how to watch
08:46 , Jamie BraidwoodWhen is the Women’s FA Cup final?
The match will kick off at 1:30pm on Sunday 18 May at Wembley Stadium.
How can I watch it?
It will be shown live on the BBC, with coverage starting from 12:50pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
