The FA Cup returns next week as eight teams battle it out for a spot in the semi-finals. However, if history is anything to go by then the result is a foregone conclusion.
Despite being the top domestic cup in England, the women’s FA Cup competition has never quite lived up to the ‘Magic of the Cup’ tag afforded to its male counterpart. This is mostly down to the lack of major cup shocks or ‘giant killings’ the competition has seen.
When looking through the recent winners of the competition, this becomes increasingly obvious. You have to go all the way back to 2012 to find the last time a team other than Chelsea, Arsenal, or Manchester City were crowned FA Cup winners. That year, Birmingham beat Chelsea on penalties after a 2-2 thriller, providing the kind of spectacle every neutral hopes to see.
Since then, Arsenal and Man City have won the cup three times apiece while Chelsea have lifted the trophy a whopping five times, including each of the last three years. With Chelsea and Man City avoiding each other in this years’ quarter finals, not many would bet against one of the two winning it again.
Of those three serial winners, Arsenal have already been knocked out by Man City after a masterclass from goalkeeper Khiara Keating. City now travel to Spurs in their quarter final while Chelsea face an injury-hampered Everton.
From this year’s quarter final draw, it’s guaranteed that two of Liverpool, Leicester, Man United and Brighton will be in the semi-finals. For any of them to win the competition outright they would have to defy the odds, but across two cup games anything is possible.
The Women’s Super League has been lauded this season for being more competitive than ever, with teams such as Liverpool, Brighton and Tottenham all registering huge wins against the top four sides. If the FA Cup were to have a different winner this year, it would be yet another sign that the women’s game is moving in the right direction.
The schedule for the #AdobeWomensFACup quarter-finals is here! 🤩
— Adobe Women's FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) February 16, 2024
The remaining teams
Liverpool vs Leicester (12pm Saturday 9th March, Prenton Park)
Matt Beard’s Liverpool side are unbeaten in their last four games going into their quarter final, securing three wins in that time including a comprehensive away victory over Aston Villa at the weekend.
The Reds have already proved their ability to shock the big teams this season, winning away to Arsenal and Man United, but they’ve also been on the wrong end of big score lines against Chelsea and Man City. It would be a huge upset if they were to lift the trophy, but they have the capability to knock out anyone on their day.
Leicester put six past Championship side Birmingham in the last round to secure their spot in the quarter finals. The Foxes have secured key wins in the WSL recently over Everton and Bristol City to ease fears of relegation, which may allow them to focus more on the FA Cup than they otherwise would.
Brighton vs Man United (5:15pm Saturday 9th March, Broadfield Stadium)
Brighton endured a roller coaster afternoon on Sunday when they held off an attempted late comeback to thrash Bristol City 7-3. Their seven goals were scored by six different players, and after Emma Kullberg’s hattrick in the previous round of the FA Cup against Wolves, the Seagulls will be confident with their attacking ability.
Their task is a tricky one, though. Marc Skinner’s Man United have a point to prove after being held to a draw by West Ham at the weekend after Viviane Asseyi’s brilliant late goal secured a point for the Hammers.
United have had an underwhelming season and currently sit fourth in the WSL, with only goal difference separating them from fifth place Liverpool. The FA Cup is the perfect opportunity for the Red Devils to inject some positivity into the season with the club’s first ever piece of silverware, particularly considering their narrow defeat in the final of last year’s competition. They remain the favourites outside of the usual suspects, Chelsea and Man City, to lift the trophy.
Everton vs Chelsea (1pm Sunday 10th March, Walton Hall Park)
Everton are probably the least likely team to cause an upset in the cup this season due to their opposition and current form. The Toffees have been plagued by injuries all season and face a formidable Chelsea side looking for their fourth straight FA Cup win. They have the benefit of a home tie but it will take an almighty effort from Brian Sorensen’s team to progress into the semi-finals.
Chelsea come into Sunday’s game with their eye on a fourth consecutive FA Cup trophy, a feat only previously achieved by rivals Arsenal. Emma Hayes’ side will want to give their legendary manager a silverware send off come the end of the season and are strong favourites to do so.
Chelsea defensively are in great form, conceding just one goal in their last six games in all competitions, and the goalscoring return of Brazilian forward Macario at the weekend following a long spell on the sideline with an ACL injury will have given the Blues a welcome attacking boost.
Tottenham vs Man City (3pm Sunday 10th March, Brisbane Road)
Manchester City are the biggest challengers to favourites Chelsea in their pursuit of the trophy, having beaten Emma Hayes side when the two met in the WSL last month. City are on a hot streak of form, winning their last 12 games in all competitions, including three victories against quarter final opponents Spurs, and conceding just five goals in that time.
Tottenham will be looking to avenge their 7-0 defeat to Gareth Taylor’s team in the WSL earlier this season. Having played City twice since and lost both without scoring, now would be the perfect time for Spurs to make amends.
Rehanne Skinner’s side do have previous for beating a top four club this season after their incredible derby win against Arsenal in December. They may also have hope that their opponents have one eye on an enthralling title race.
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