After numerous COVID-19 delays, the 2020-21 Women’s FA Cup Final was contested Sunday (the 2021-22 competition is now in the Second Round) in front of a massive crowd of 41,000 at Wembley. Chelsea stormed to a 3-0 victory over Arsenal, completing a domestic treble after also capturing last season’s Women’s Super League and League Cup titles.
It’s Arsenal (first) and Chelsea (second) that look set to battle for this campaign's WSL crown after eight matches, but the early story of the season has been the form of Blues’ attacking duo Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby.
Kerr leads the league with nine goals while Kirby is joint-second with six. Kirby is the joint-leader in assists with five while Kerr is joint-fifth with three. They’ve been unplayable this year and that was the case in Sunday’s FA Cup final with the two combining to score all three Chelsea goals.
It took only three minutes for Kirby to open to scoring after Arsenal failed to clear the danger, allowing the 28-year-old England international to race through on goal.
Who else but @frankirby?!
— Vitality Women's FA Cup (@VitalityWFACup) December 5, 2021
It was all one-way traffic from there with Arsenal failing to land a shot on target over 90 minutes. Chelsea put eight on frame, scored two more and struck the woodwork on three occasions.
The second goal arrived in the 56th minute after Kirby sent Kerr racing into Arsenal’s half. Australia’s captain shifted inside, shaped to shoot one to the far post but instead flashed an effort inside Manuela Zinsberger’s near post.
@samkerr1 scores at Wembley!@ChelseaFCW #WomensFACupFinal pic.twitter.com/JiijaFaaxs
— Vitality Women's FA Cup (@VitalityWFACup) December 5, 2021
In the 78th minute, Kerr made it 3-0 with an audacious chip from 15 yards out.
That’s outrageous! @samkerr1 with an incredible chip over Zinsberger @ChelseaFCW #WomensFACupFinal pic.twitter.com/uFEDQlSVbG
— Vitality Women's FA Cup (@VitalityWFACup) December 5, 2021
“We felt like we dominated but they defended well in the first half and we couldn’t put away some easy chances so we knew we had to score again to put the game to bed, and we did,” Kerr said after the match. “Arsenal put their bodies on the line but if we kept pushing we knew we’d get the win and at Wembley in front of a massive crowd — it can’t get any better. We’ve conceded not many goals in the last few games and scored a bunch — I think we’re the best team in England.”
Next up for Chelsea is a Champions League group stage match against Juventus on Dec. 8. Arsenal hosts Barcelona at the Emirates on Dec. 9.
