Girma’s extra-time winner sees Chelsea knock Manchester United out of FA Cup

Kingsmeadow, Sunday – Chelsea’s pursuit of a seventh FA Cup crown stayed alive as defender Naomi Girma lashed home a 99th-minute rebound to seal a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over Manchester United and book the holders a quarter-final berth.

A repeat of last May’s one-sided Wembley final, which Chelsea won 3-0 to complete a domestic treble, this fifth-round tie proved a far tighter affair. After a goalless first half dominated by the brilliance of United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce – who denied Alyssa Thompson early and produced a stunning stop from Lauren James on the stroke of the interval – the contest ignited in the closing stages of normal time.

Sam Kerr, introduced from the bench on the evening she was presented with a commemorative shirt for 150 Chelsea appearances, broke the deadlock in the 78th minute, steering past Tullis-Joyce to seemingly set the Blues on a familiar path to victory.

Yet United, seeking only a second win in 18 meetings against their London rivals, responded three minutes later. A cleverly worked free-kick saw captain Maya Le Tissier deliver a teasing ball into the area, where substitute Simi Awuju arrived to level and force extra time.

The decisive moment arrived nine minutes into the additional period. A Chelsea corner created chaos inside the six-yard box; Tullis-Joyce parried the initial effort but could only watch as Girma smashed the loose ball high into the net, sparking delirious scenes among the home support.

Jess Park had earlier come closest for the visitors, rattling Hannah Hampton’s post from distance on 65 minutes, but Marc Skinner’s side could not find a second equaliser and exit the competition despite a vastly improved display on last year’s final.

Chelsea, six-time winners, march on alongside fellow contenders Arsenal and Manchester City as the road to Wembley narrows.