Key events
Prince William has met the players and managers, the anthem has been played and so what’s left? Ah yes, the tense and thrilling 90 minutes we have ahead. This could also go to extra-time and penalties if they are all square at full-time.
Do you want to re-live every goal both of these teams have scored in the Women’s FA Cup so far this season? Well you are in luck as the competition has put a compilation together!
The players are walking out to a sold-out Wembley! Moments from kick-off, the crowd is electric. The stage the game deserves.
Have you been reading our weekly women’s football newsletter, Moving the Goalposts? It’s free to subscribe to and brings you news and exclusive interviews. This week Firdose Moonda spoke to Janine van Wyk, you can have a read of the piece here:
Can Chelsea’s experience win them their third straight Women’s FA Cup trophy this afternoon? Suzy Wrack has written about it, give it a read:
Chelsea’s Sam Kerr says Wembley is her favourite stadium to play in – because she has never lost there. “Every time I go there it’s for a trophy,” she said per Goal. “I never have to visit otherwise. I think that’s exactly it. It’s a big-game stadium. You don’t go there to play any other game other than for a trophy. I’ve never been there and not won a trophy. Fingers crossed this weekend is the same.”
Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has said: “Previous success is not indicative of future success. We’re playing an outstanding team who have led the way in the league this year. They’re deserving to be in the cup final. Being there in the past gives you the luxury of understanding what it’s like but it’s no advantage whatsoever. This year our team has been written off quite easily but we’re always favourites in our eyes.”
Brom has got in touch to get in on the snack chat and said: “I raise your Skittles a packet of dry roasted broad beans and a Stonewall beer. Cheers from the Netherlands and come on United!” I cannot say I have ever heard of anyone snacking on dry roasted broad beans, I want to try them now!
Last season just below 41,000 supporters attended Wembley to watch Chelsea lift the trophy and now 90,000 will be attending. Here’s a piece on how the crowd more than doubled in the space of a season:
Speaking of Casey Stoney, the former United manager has tweeted support for her former club:
Marc Skinner took over at Manchester United from Casey Stoney in 2021 and he has continued the club’s progress, all the way to Wembley. But do you know him? Have a read of the piece below to get to know the boss better:
United may never have beaten Chelsea but manager Marc Skinner has belief his side will lift the trophy this afternoon: “We know we can beat Chelsea, but we know how difficult that is,” he said. “There’s no doubt in my mind that if you want to pick a favourite, then Chelsea should be put on that mantle because of the fact they have been here before and done this before. But the reality is we have a team of rebels that want to make sure that won’t be the fact.”
I do love a bit of snack chat on my blogs, today I have some skittles. A classic and, in my opinion, under-rated sweet. What have you got to nervously nibble on throughout the final? Let me know via Twitter or email.
A fun fact for you: As VAR is not in operation in the WSL or Conti Cup, today will be the first time Manchester United play with the technology in use.
The team news is here! Chelsea have made three changes from the side that thrashed Leicester City. Fleming, Mjelde and Kerr come back into the side. Kirby and Bright remain out with long-term injuries.
Chelsea: Berger, Leupolz, James, Reiten, Perisset, Eriksson, Fleming, Mjelde, Kerr, Charles, Cuthbert
United, meanwhile, have only made one change to their starting line-up from their win over Tottenham last weekend. Captain Katie Zelem is back in the team after she was suspended.
United: Earps, Batlle, Blundell, Toone, Zelem, Galton, Ladd, Le Tissier, Turner, Parris, Russo
🔴 Red. Ready. Raring to go! 🔴
📋 Presenting your United #WomensFACup final line-up — let’s go, girls! 👊#MUWomen
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) May 14, 2023
Preamble
History will be made today even before the players walk out onto the pitch for the Women’s FA Cup final. Defending champions Chelsea take on Manchester United in front of a sell-out Wembley, the first time the competition has sold-out the home of English football.
It is also the first time United have made the final and there’s more history with VAR in operation for the first time in the women’s competition. More history could be made once the whistle is blown as if United get the win it will be the first time they have defeated Chelsea.
The teams have played each other nine times with Chelsea winning eight and the other a draw. United are in amazing form, still reigning supreme in the Women’s Super League table, but Chelsea have scored 13 goals in their last two games. It will be a tense battle and it should be a delight of a match.
The team news for both clubs will be dropping shortly so stay tuned for all the updates ahead of kick-off at 2.30pm BST.
