Late Kirby strike takes Chelsea Ladies to Wembley

Fran Kirby scored four seconds from the end of extra-time as Women’s FA Cup holders Chelsea Ladies earned a dramatic 2-1 semi-final victory over Manchester City Women.

City led a fiercely competitive match through a second-half strike by Jane Ross but Ji So-Yun’s stunning late free-kick levelled the scores.

The Blues had the better of the extra period at Wheatsheaf Park, but penalties seemed to be looming until Kirby’s low strike set up a Wembley final against Arsenal.

Both sides struggled to create chances in a feisty encounter full of crunching challenges and niggly fouls, but the Blues grew in confidence and had the better of things from the moment they fell behind with 18 minutes remaining.

Eni Aluko’s pace posed some problems early on and Karen Carney was prominent, but City remained cautious against Chelsea’s counter-attacking threat and edged a tight first period.

Blues goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl had to make a decent block with her feet following a corner and also pushed away a Steph Houghton free-kick.

Hannah Blundell had Chelsea’s only noteworthy attempt, sending a well-struck 20-yard half-volley just wide.

City went ahead following an uneventful start to the second half when Jane Ross scooped the ball over the line from close range from Duggan’s shot following a corner.

The increasingly threatening Davison seemed Chelsea’s most likely source of an equaliser, but City seemed to have done enough until Ji’s exquisite 86th-minute free-kick forced extra-time.

The hosts were on top in the extra period, Bardsley saving Aluko’s low first-time effort after good work by Kirby, and Davison firing an effort wide of the far post after another jinking run on the right flank.

And the pressure told when Kirby finished calmly after a smart one-two with the excellent Ji.